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Fatal Option
"A WINTRY TALE OF VIOLENCE AND REDEMPTION, ARTFULLY BALANCED BY A TOUCHING PORTRAYAL OF A FAMILY IN CRISIS" - Peter Swanson, author of THE KIND WORTH KILLING
On the coldest night of the year, Stephen Porter is pulled from a restless sleep by a midnight phone call. His 17-year-old daughter Sara is stranded in a blizzard near the top of a mountain beyond their suburban home. She's terrified and unable to stop crying as she begs him to come to her rescue.
Unfortunately Stephen went to bed just an hour before after a night of binge drinking. With his blurred vision and unsteady balance he knows it’s dangerously irresponsible to get behind the wheel. But he heads out into the snowstorm to bring Sara home.
High school teacher Kieran O’Shea is also behind the wheel, searching for his autistic younger brother Aidan, who is wandering aimlessly through the storm on that same mountain. Kieran is also terrified—of the voices in his mind, of the possibility that Aidan will be taken from him, and of the certainty that he will soon be arrested for murdering three women.
In a matter of minutes Stephen will encounter Kieran and drive headlong into a collision that will force him to unlock the secret of his wife’s death, avoid prosecution, and protect his children from violence that hits all too close to home.
On the coldest night of the year, Stephen Porter is pulled from a restless sleep by a midnight phone call. His 17-year-old daughter Sara is stranded in a blizzard near the top of a mountain beyond their suburban home. She's terrified and unable to stop crying as she begs him to come to her rescue.
Unfortunately Stephen went to bed just an hour before after a night of binge drinking. With his blurred vision and unsteady balance he knows it’s dangerously irresponsible to get behind the wheel. But he heads out into the snowstorm to bring Sara home.
High school teacher Kieran O’Shea is also behind the wheel, searching for his autistic younger brother Aidan, who is wandering aimlessly through the storm on that same mountain. Kieran is also terrified—of the voices in his mind, of the possibility that Aidan will be taken from him, and of the certainty that he will soon be arrested for murdering three women.
In a matter of minutes Stephen will encounter Kieran and drive headlong into a collision that will force him to unlock the secret of his wife’s death, avoid prosecution, and protect his children from violence that hits all too close to home.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 21, 2017
109 people are currently reading
909 people want to read
About the author
Chris Beakey
3 books41 followersHey there – thanks for visiting me on Goodreads! I write book reviews for the New York Journal of Books, and on my blog at blog.chrisbeakey.com, and always enjoy learning about books people are reading and liking. My second thriller, FATAL OPTION, is on its way to publication by Post Hill Press and distribution by Simon & Schuster in February of 2017. I think the best way to describe it is by sharing what my publisher wrote in the letter that’s accompanying the Advance Reading Copies:
Dear Readers and Reviewers:
On the coldest night of the year, Stephen Porter is pulled from a restless sleep by a midnight phone call. His 17-year-old daughter Sara is stranded in a blizzard near the top of a mountain beyond their suburban home. She's terrified and unable to stop crying as she begs him to come to her rescue.
Unfortunately, Stephen went to bed after a night of binge drinking prompted by a recent death in the family just an hour before. With his blurred vision and unsteady balance he knows it’s dangerously irresponsible to get behind the wheel. But he heads out into the snowstorm to bring Sara home.
High school teacher Kieran O’Shea is also behind the wheel, searching for his autistic younger brother Aidan, who is wandering aimlessly through the storm on that same mountain. Kieran is also terrified—of the voices in his mind, of the possibility that Aidan will be taken from him, and the likelihood he will be arrested for murdering three women.
In a matter of minutes Stephen will encounter Kieran and drive headlong into a collision that will force him to question everything he knows about his family and protect his children from a violence that hits all too close to home.
I’ve come across a lot of thrillers during the nearly three decades I’ve spent at Simon & Schuster, Random House and now Post Hill Press. From the very first pages Chris Beakey’s Fatal Option captivated me like no other book in recent memory. It’s a striking portrayal of a good man who does a very bad thing for the best of all possible reasons.
My enthusiasm for this book is shared by a growing number of thriller writers at the top of their game, along with everyone here at Post Hill Press. We’re producing more Advance Reading Copies than we’ve offered for any other title, and are going to great lengths to support Chris’ efforts to connect with readers and reviewers.
Anthony Ziccardi
Publisher
Of course I’m thrilled with Anthony’s praise of this book. It’s not really a jumping up and down kind of thrilled though . . . more of a calm appreciation for the reward from decades of hard work. Owing more to the power of belief and motivation than talent, I started writing stories as soon as I was able to hold a pencil. Success came in snippets years later – with English compositions singled out by a certain high school teacher who held me after class and told me to keep at it; followed by a novella published in serial form in my college newspaper and a short story that won first prize in a literary competition.
The hard years came news – about 20 to be exact. They’re a bit of a blur now – thanks to 4 a.m. wake up calls that gave me three hours to write before heading off to my day job, and the emotionally challenging ups and downs and hairpin turns that eventually led me to an agent and my first book. DOUBLE ABDUCTION was published in 2007 by a small publisher who rescued it from an only slightly-larger publisher that declared bankruptcy the day after the Advance Reading Copies were printed. It earned good reviews and was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award.
I started FATAL OPTION a couple of years after that, and rewrote it three times before Anthony and his team gave me their enthusiastic thumbs up. I’d be very pleased to know what my fellow readers in the GoodReads community think of the opening chapters (which are posted on my page).
I also look forward to sharing reviews of other books. Best wishes to all.
Dear Readers and Reviewers:
On the coldest night of the year, Stephen Porter is pulled from a restless sleep by a midnight phone call. His 17-year-old daughter Sara is stranded in a blizzard near the top of a mountain beyond their suburban home. She's terrified and unable to stop crying as she begs him to come to her rescue.
Unfortunately, Stephen went to bed after a night of binge drinking prompted by a recent death in the family just an hour before. With his blurred vision and unsteady balance he knows it’s dangerously irresponsible to get behind the wheel. But he heads out into the snowstorm to bring Sara home.
High school teacher Kieran O’Shea is also behind the wheel, searching for his autistic younger brother Aidan, who is wandering aimlessly through the storm on that same mountain. Kieran is also terrified—of the voices in his mind, of the possibility that Aidan will be taken from him, and the likelihood he will be arrested for murdering three women.
In a matter of minutes Stephen will encounter Kieran and drive headlong into a collision that will force him to question everything he knows about his family and protect his children from a violence that hits all too close to home.
I’ve come across a lot of thrillers during the nearly three decades I’ve spent at Simon & Schuster, Random House and now Post Hill Press. From the very first pages Chris Beakey’s Fatal Option captivated me like no other book in recent memory. It’s a striking portrayal of a good man who does a very bad thing for the best of all possible reasons.
My enthusiasm for this book is shared by a growing number of thriller writers at the top of their game, along with everyone here at Post Hill Press. We’re producing more Advance Reading Copies than we’ve offered for any other title, and are going to great lengths to support Chris’ efforts to connect with readers and reviewers.
Anthony Ziccardi
Publisher
Of course I’m thrilled with Anthony’s praise of this book. It’s not really a jumping up and down kind of thrilled though . . . more of a calm appreciation for the reward from decades of hard work. Owing more to the power of belief and motivation than talent, I started writing stories as soon as I was able to hold a pencil. Success came in snippets years later – with English compositions singled out by a certain high school teacher who held me after class and told me to keep at it; followed by a novella published in serial form in my college newspaper and a short story that won first prize in a literary competition.
The hard years came news – about 20 to be exact. They’re a bit of a blur now – thanks to 4 a.m. wake up calls that gave me three hours to write before heading off to my day job, and the emotionally challenging ups and downs and hairpin turns that eventually led me to an agent and my first book. DOUBLE ABDUCTION was published in 2007 by a small publisher who rescued it from an only slightly-larger publisher that declared bankruptcy the day after the Advance Reading Copies were printed. It earned good reviews and was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award.
I started FATAL OPTION a couple of years after that, and rewrote it three times before Anthony and his team gave me their enthusiastic thumbs up. I’d be very pleased to know what my fellow readers in the GoodReads community think of the opening chapters (which are posted on my page).
I also look forward to sharing reviews of other books. Best wishes to all.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
March 13, 2017
If I had to pick just one word to describe Chris Beakey's novel Fatal Option, it would be seedy.
To paraphrase Dr Seuss in The Cat in the Hat, 'I did not like it, not one little bit.'
After abandoning it at 71% (WHY did I bother to read so far....?) I feel quite drained. I could not read one more word.
The characters are all angst-ridden. They are all either alcoholic or drug users or both; abused or abusers. I liked none of them. I care about none of them. Fatal Option should come with a health warning 'reading this book may induce depression'.
I am off to find a very large block of chocolate, my 'blankie' and a copy of 'The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh' to restore my equilibrium.
Thank you to Post Hill Press via NetGalley for a digital ARC of Fatal Option by Chris Beakey for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
To paraphrase Dr Seuss in The Cat in the Hat, 'I did not like it, not one little bit.'
After abandoning it at 71% (WHY did I bother to read so far....?) I feel quite drained. I could not read one more word.
The characters are all angst-ridden. They are all either alcoholic or drug users or both; abused or abusers. I liked none of them. I care about none of them. Fatal Option should come with a health warning 'reading this book may induce depression'.
I am off to find a very large block of chocolate, my 'blankie' and a copy of 'The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh' to restore my equilibrium.
Thank you to Post Hill Press via NetGalley for a digital ARC of Fatal Option by Chris Beakey for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
February 22, 2017
There is a consequence for every decision you make. The Porter family is finding that out for themselves.
Stephen Porter is dealing with the death of his wife ... was it suicide or an accident .. or something more sinister?
His 17-year-old daughter, Sara, calls her dad in the middle of the night. She's stranded in a blizzard at the top of a mountain. She's supposed to be spending the night with a girlfriend who lives just a few blocks away. She decided to spend the night with her boyfriend .. who happens to be a teacher and is 10 years older than she. She made her choice.
Stephen has been binge drinking and he's only had one hour of sleep. He knows how dangerous and irresponsible it is to be driving under the influence in such bad weather ... but it is his daughter. He makes the choice to drive anyway.
To give him credit, though, he does call the police and report that his daughter is stranded. If the dispatcher had listened more carefully, she might have made a different decision. But she ends the call by saying everyone is busy with emergencies and hanging up on him. That was her choice.
In a short amount of time, all these choices will come to the forefront and unhinge a killer ... a psychotic .... an autistic child .... two cops, one of which is not what he seems.
From what I believed was a slow beginning turned into quite the thriller. The author did a fine job of introducing all the characters in a factual way. I never saw where it was taking me.. until the suspense and tension exploded. The characters were credible, especially the young ones who were rolling about in their teenage angst. The ending was explosive and lives are lost. Who lives and who dies?
Many thanks to the author / Post Hill Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of FATAL OPTION. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Stephen Porter is dealing with the death of his wife ... was it suicide or an accident .. or something more sinister?
His 17-year-old daughter, Sara, calls her dad in the middle of the night. She's stranded in a blizzard at the top of a mountain. She's supposed to be spending the night with a girlfriend who lives just a few blocks away. She decided to spend the night with her boyfriend .. who happens to be a teacher and is 10 years older than she. She made her choice.
Stephen has been binge drinking and he's only had one hour of sleep. He knows how dangerous and irresponsible it is to be driving under the influence in such bad weather ... but it is his daughter. He makes the choice to drive anyway.
To give him credit, though, he does call the police and report that his daughter is stranded. If the dispatcher had listened more carefully, she might have made a different decision. But she ends the call by saying everyone is busy with emergencies and hanging up on him. That was her choice.
In a short amount of time, all these choices will come to the forefront and unhinge a killer ... a psychotic .... an autistic child .... two cops, one of which is not what he seems.
From what I believed was a slow beginning turned into quite the thriller. The author did a fine job of introducing all the characters in a factual way. I never saw where it was taking me.. until the suspense and tension exploded. The characters were credible, especially the young ones who were rolling about in their teenage angst. The ending was explosive and lives are lost. Who lives and who dies?
Many thanks to the author / Post Hill Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of FATAL OPTION. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
January 4, 2017
If you think you can dissect a thriller and beat the author to the finish, you need to pick up FATAL OPTION by Chris Beakey! If you have never read a dark thriller, you need to pick up FATAL OPTION by Chris Beakey! Dark, chaotic and rich with web-like plot twists, this is truly edge of your seat reading that will have your guts churning and your knuckles clenched.
Color me impressed. On one of the worst winter nights of the year, Stephen is awakened from his drunken sleep by the terrified voice of his teenage daughter, stranded on a back road, far from where she said she would be. Not fit to drive, but determined to help his daughter, the dangerous roads are deadly to drive on and even deadlier to walk on. What happens next will send one man into the hell of fear, regret and shame as he becomes a murderer and his daughter becomes the puppet to a twisted man she thinks she’s in love with when she could actually become his next victim. A child is dead, and his brother loses his tentative hold on reality and someone has to pay.
Chris Beakey’s tale is taut, dark and sinister from the first page to the last. Magnetic, dynamic and extremely well-written, Suspense has a new artist on the block and a bold style to mesmerize readers!
I received an ARC edition from Post Hill Press in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Post Hill Press (February 21, 2017)
Publication Date: February 21, 2017
Genre: Suspense | Thriller
Print Length: 274 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Color me impressed. On one of the worst winter nights of the year, Stephen is awakened from his drunken sleep by the terrified voice of his teenage daughter, stranded on a back road, far from where she said she would be. Not fit to drive, but determined to help his daughter, the dangerous roads are deadly to drive on and even deadlier to walk on. What happens next will send one man into the hell of fear, regret and shame as he becomes a murderer and his daughter becomes the puppet to a twisted man she thinks she’s in love with when she could actually become his next victim. A child is dead, and his brother loses his tentative hold on reality and someone has to pay.
Chris Beakey’s tale is taut, dark and sinister from the first page to the last. Magnetic, dynamic and extremely well-written, Suspense has a new artist on the block and a bold style to mesmerize readers!
I received an ARC edition from Post Hill Press in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Post Hill Press (February 21, 2017)
Publication Date: February 21, 2017
Genre: Suspense | Thriller
Print Length: 274 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
February 2, 2017
What would you do if your child needed you but you had to break the law in order to help her? Stephen Porter is faced with this moral dilemma when his teenage daughter calls him in the middle of the night. She’s lied to him about where she was going and now her car has broken down during a blizzard on a mountain and she’s begging for help. But Stephen, who is grieving for his wife who recently mysteriously died, has just had an evening of binge drinking and knows he shouldn’t get behind the wheel. Little does he know how twisted and horrible a path his decision to go to his daughter will take him.
I read this book during a recent nor’easter here in NJ. With the cold wind howling around the house and the icy rain hitting the windows, it was a perfect setting for this dark tale. Be warned, this is a very violent story involving a large cast of messed-up, troubled people. But at the heart of the book is a loving father who only wants the best for his children. I cared about Stephen and his daughter Sara and son Kenneth and wanted things to turn out well for each of them. This book also has a clear tale to tell about the high cost of child abuse and its long-lasting effects. This is a complex thriller with plot twists galore. The touching ending was beautifully rendered. Mr. Beakey is an accomplished author and one to make note of.
Recommended.
This book was given to me by Smith Publicity in return for an honest review.
I read this book during a recent nor’easter here in NJ. With the cold wind howling around the house and the icy rain hitting the windows, it was a perfect setting for this dark tale. Be warned, this is a very violent story involving a large cast of messed-up, troubled people. But at the heart of the book is a loving father who only wants the best for his children. I cared about Stephen and his daughter Sara and son Kenneth and wanted things to turn out well for each of them. This book also has a clear tale to tell about the high cost of child abuse and its long-lasting effects. This is a complex thriller with plot twists galore. The touching ending was beautifully rendered. Mr. Beakey is an accomplished author and one to make note of.
Recommended.
This book was given to me by Smith Publicity in return for an honest review.
February 22, 2017
Review of FATAL OPTION by Chris Beakey
What a thrilling mystery! A one-session read because you just can't stop! Author Chris Beakey introduces multiple tangled plot lines, admirably maintains all, and leavens them with a sizable dose of humanity: emotions, mistakes, failings, success, regrets. Overarching are events that change lives, the kind of events about which reader and characters both ponder "if only--." My heart stayed in my throat the entire reading, and many times I wished I could reach into the story and shift the characters out of danger, or stop villains. Even the "bad guys" have their own backstory here, so that behavior which is not admirable is at least comprehensible.
I will definitely be anticipating more novels from author Chris Beakey and enjoying rereading FATAL OPTION.
What a thrilling mystery! A one-session read because you just can't stop! Author Chris Beakey introduces multiple tangled plot lines, admirably maintains all, and leavens them with a sizable dose of humanity: emotions, mistakes, failings, success, regrets. Overarching are events that change lives, the kind of events about which reader and characters both ponder "if only--." My heart stayed in my throat the entire reading, and many times I wished I could reach into the story and shift the characters out of danger, or stop villains. Even the "bad guys" have their own backstory here, so that behavior which is not admirable is at least comprehensible.
I will definitely be anticipating more novels from author Chris Beakey and enjoying rereading FATAL OPTION.
February 25, 2017
Have plenty of time on your hands when you start this gripping novel as you won't be able to leave it alone gets your attention straight away and never lets up, a brilliant WOW moment when all is revealed
February 20, 2017
Just, Wow. This book - dark, twisty, and unpredictable!
I'm a HUGE thriller fan, so when I started this one, I was expecting a great story and Beakey didn't disappoint! I'm a greatly impressed!
On what is most likely the worst winter storm night of the year, Stephen is startled awake by a worried call from his teenage daughter. She's not where she was supposed to be, and she's stranded up on a mountain in bad weather... and Stephen is less than an hour from his last drink.... things get chaotic quick as life throws a wrench in things and Stephen has to breaks laws to save his daughter...
I really liked the characterization, as well as the tension created by these characters and the things they have managed to get themselves involved in. The scary part for me was that this book was real enough that it could happen!
Excellent story telling and an author to follow for sure! I look forward to more stories from Beakey!
I'm a HUGE thriller fan, so when I started this one, I was expecting a great story and Beakey didn't disappoint! I'm a greatly impressed!
On what is most likely the worst winter storm night of the year, Stephen is startled awake by a worried call from his teenage daughter. She's not where she was supposed to be, and she's stranded up on a mountain in bad weather... and Stephen is less than an hour from his last drink.... things get chaotic quick as life throws a wrench in things and Stephen has to breaks laws to save his daughter...
I really liked the characterization, as well as the tension created by these characters and the things they have managed to get themselves involved in. The scary part for me was that this book was real enough that it could happen!
Excellent story telling and an author to follow for sure! I look forward to more stories from Beakey!
October 17, 2016
I received an advance copy of this book and LOVED it! It was the first book I've read by this author and am hungry for more. Fatal Option was really hard to put down. It was full of suspense from the start and it was this that gripped me. I thought I had figured out "who done it" and was very surprised by the identity of the "real" perpetrator. And I loved that the ending left a little bit of doubt about the fate of the main character.
February 17, 2017
Stephen Porter has just heard some terrible news about the insurance claim concerning his wife's death. He begins a night a binge drinking knowing that his son, Kenneth is safely in his room nursing a black eye after upsetting the school the school hot-head and his daughter, Sara is supposedly a few houses away in their cul-de-sac sleeping over at her friend Madison's house. However, when the weather begins to turn and the roads turn to ice, Stephen receives a call from Sara saying she is stranded on Rolling Road at a teacher's house and near the site of her mother's death, Stephen begins to panic. Eventually, he decides to go save his daughter himself even though he is a little buzzed. Stephen doesn't know that Aiden, the autistic younger brother of the teacher she was visiting is lost outside in the dark that night. When the collision inevitably happens, Stephen opens up a can of worms concerning the death of his wife, the death of three other women that died similarly, and the troubled mind of teacher, Kieran O'Shea.
This is the type of thriller where you just have to go along for the ride. Every time that I thought I had an idea of where the author was going with the story, there was a new twist. The suspense of the story is layered through carefully guarded secrets of many of the town's inhabitants. Secrets, the fact that we will do anything for our children and the struggle between good vs. evil were central themes. I do like that in many of the characters, there was a grey area between good and bad. Characters that I thought that I had pegged turned out to be someone different. Sara's teacher, Kieran turned out to be one of the most interesting characters, he was not exactly who I thought, but still harbored evil within. His relationship with Sara was something I'm still having trouble with, it seems like either Sara or Kieran should be smart enough to stop a romance that is asking for trouble. I also wish that Kieran's life was explored a little more; there was some back story, but it seemed like his story could have gone further. I can't say much more without giving things away, but in the end I was thoroughly surprised at how everything came out with a bang. I do wonder if anyone else in the town is alive afterwards and I truly wondered about the fate of Kieran and Stephen. Overall, an intense thriller that has a lot going on and will keep you guessing until the end.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
This is the type of thriller where you just have to go along for the ride. Every time that I thought I had an idea of where the author was going with the story, there was a new twist. The suspense of the story is layered through carefully guarded secrets of many of the town's inhabitants. Secrets, the fact that we will do anything for our children and the struggle between good vs. evil were central themes. I do like that in many of the characters, there was a grey area between good and bad. Characters that I thought that I had pegged turned out to be someone different. Sara's teacher, Kieran turned out to be one of the most interesting characters, he was not exactly who I thought, but still harbored evil within. His relationship with Sara was something I'm still having trouble with, it seems like either Sara or Kieran should be smart enough to stop a romance that is asking for trouble. I also wish that Kieran's life was explored a little more; there was some back story, but it seemed like his story could have gone further. I can't say much more without giving things away, but in the end I was thoroughly surprised at how everything came out with a bang. I do wonder if anyone else in the town is alive afterwards and I truly wondered about the fate of Kieran and Stephen. Overall, an intense thriller that has a lot going on and will keep you guessing until the end.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
March 6, 2017
Fatal Option was a great option for me to read. I dived into this very gripping suspenseful thriller blindly without even reading the blurb and I am delighted I did.
To start with, Fatal Option is by all means a very gripping suspense novel. Although these words have been said a lot to describe thrillers before, but I truly couldn’t put it down. However, this is not the best part. The best part is that it is a thought provoking book with a philosophical aspect.
“Would you break the law for someone you love?” That’s the question at the heart of the novel. Please don’t rush into answering that. We all would say “No”. But to answer such a question properly and realistically, you should face the same situations.
Fatal Option has a very powerful opening where Stephen Porter, the main character, is awaken by a phone call in the middle of the night after spending a sad night drinking. In the blurred moments after sleep, he hears the voice of his teenage daughter over the phone desperately asking for his help. She’s stranded on the mountain in the middle of a blizzard. Her voice is scared. Stephen should do whatever it takes to rescue her. There is a wide cast of characters. Each character fighting his/her own daemons and agonies and each trying to do whatever it takes to make things better for himself. Teenagers trying to find their ways and to survive their desires, fights, hopes and even parents. Cops presented with the ever aching question “Would you do the right thing whatever the situation is?”. Parents trying to cling to their growing teenagers who are slipping away from them. Tormented people trying to make things right and put their past behind.
The main question in Fatal Option is how far you can go to save yourself and your beloved ones. Are people really either “good” or “bad”, and above all, what would a perfect person do when placed in the worst circumstances and can he still be the good person he used to be. And if not, will that make him a “bad person”. The reader is compelled by so many questions.
One of the best things about Fatal Option from my point of view also is the grand opening. It was really very gripping. I always think that the way a book starts is very important. Also Chris Beakey has a remarkable writing style. His choice for the surroundings is more than perfect. The storm, the snow, the night, and even the dark. He weaved all of those into a perfect suspenseful stage and went on placing his characters and tracing them into an interlinked web of suspense and hidden motives.
Finally, for those who enjoy suspense novels, Fatal Option is a great book to read. I highly recommend it.
** Special thanks to NetGalley & Post Hill Press for supplying my copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review **
For all my reviews please visit http://www.meshascorner.net
To start with, Fatal Option is by all means a very gripping suspense novel. Although these words have been said a lot to describe thrillers before, but I truly couldn’t put it down. However, this is not the best part. The best part is that it is a thought provoking book with a philosophical aspect.
“Would you break the law for someone you love?” That’s the question at the heart of the novel. Please don’t rush into answering that. We all would say “No”. But to answer such a question properly and realistically, you should face the same situations.
Fatal Option has a very powerful opening where Stephen Porter, the main character, is awaken by a phone call in the middle of the night after spending a sad night drinking. In the blurred moments after sleep, he hears the voice of his teenage daughter over the phone desperately asking for his help. She’s stranded on the mountain in the middle of a blizzard. Her voice is scared. Stephen should do whatever it takes to rescue her. There is a wide cast of characters. Each character fighting his/her own daemons and agonies and each trying to do whatever it takes to make things better for himself. Teenagers trying to find their ways and to survive their desires, fights, hopes and even parents. Cops presented with the ever aching question “Would you do the right thing whatever the situation is?”. Parents trying to cling to their growing teenagers who are slipping away from them. Tormented people trying to make things right and put their past behind.
The main question in Fatal Option is how far you can go to save yourself and your beloved ones. Are people really either “good” or “bad”, and above all, what would a perfect person do when placed in the worst circumstances and can he still be the good person he used to be. And if not, will that make him a “bad person”. The reader is compelled by so many questions.
One of the best things about Fatal Option from my point of view also is the grand opening. It was really very gripping. I always think that the way a book starts is very important. Also Chris Beakey has a remarkable writing style. His choice for the surroundings is more than perfect. The storm, the snow, the night, and even the dark. He weaved all of those into a perfect suspenseful stage and went on placing his characters and tracing them into an interlinked web of suspense and hidden motives.
Finally, for those who enjoy suspense novels, Fatal Option is a great book to read. I highly recommend it.
** Special thanks to NetGalley & Post Hill Press for supplying my copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review **
For all my reviews please visit http://www.meshascorner.net
June 10, 2017
Great Read!!
WOW! This complicated book was a joy to read!!
WOW! This complicated book was a joy to read!!
February 26, 2017
*Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a free e-copy in exchange for a free and honest review!*
This is a fantastically thrilling book all about how far a person can be pushed in order to help the people he/she loves.
I really enjoyed how Beakey managed to find this rather perfect balance between going just on the very edge of "i can see someone being pushed this far and doing that" without ever stepping into the zone of "okay now its just going crazy because that is not realistic in any way!"
And that might sound easy or as if it would be easy to accomplish in a crime book. But honesty i read a good amount of crime books where the author very quickly manages to go of and wide over the edge of realistic and just into crazy town of unrealistic of how far a person can be pushed -or lets say a normal person can be pushed.
But Beakey really found the perfect middle of going father than you think the character will manage to go, without going completely overboard and i LOVED that!
The writing style was nicely done as well, easy to read, fast to get through (perfect for this kind of book where you just want to go and go and go.... to see where this is going and how it was going to end!) without going to fast, or feeling rushed. So nicely done there as well.
The plot was very nicely done as well, how it build up and came to the big climax and how the ending was done, it all fitted very nicely together, made sense and worked very nicely. There was not one moment in the book where i was confused why something happened or why it happened during that specific time, rather the opposite really, since this book is one of those books where everything seems just rather natural.
As strange as that might sound for this kind of psychological thriller book and saying about it how the plot was feeling very natural.
The only thing that bothered me a bit throughout this book, is that i could not connect to any of the characters in any way.
And i do not understand why that was.
But i just never cared about any of the characters. Not the father not the children. I didn't really care if they would survive or not... which is strange. Because the entire book is basically based around that you should care how much the father fights for his children and himself to survive what is going on. And here i am sitting reading this and am enjoying how the book is writing and how the plot is told, but not caring even a bit about the actual people in it.
I have no idea if that was because the author never really introduced them in a way that made me really understand them and get a feel for them, or if something about this book was just not right for me personally... i really don't know what it was!
Even stranger the entire not caring about the characters didn't really make me enjoy the book less, even though it is practically character based and ... yeah you guys can see where this is going and why it confused even me!
All in all this was a great read, and i will defiantly recommend it to people that i know love and enjoy especially this kind of psychological thriller and rollercoaster ride this book was.
And i myself will definitely read what ever else i can get my hands on by this author!
If you want something great to read, something gripping and thrilling and at the same time fast paced and easy to read but will still be very enjoyable, read this and enjoy the ride!
This is a fantastically thrilling book all about how far a person can be pushed in order to help the people he/she loves.
I really enjoyed how Beakey managed to find this rather perfect balance between going just on the very edge of "i can see someone being pushed this far and doing that" without ever stepping into the zone of "okay now its just going crazy because that is not realistic in any way!"
And that might sound easy or as if it would be easy to accomplish in a crime book. But honesty i read a good amount of crime books where the author very quickly manages to go of and wide over the edge of realistic and just into crazy town of unrealistic of how far a person can be pushed -or lets say a normal person can be pushed.
But Beakey really found the perfect middle of going father than you think the character will manage to go, without going completely overboard and i LOVED that!
The writing style was nicely done as well, easy to read, fast to get through (perfect for this kind of book where you just want to go and go and go.... to see where this is going and how it was going to end!) without going to fast, or feeling rushed. So nicely done there as well.
The plot was very nicely done as well, how it build up and came to the big climax and how the ending was done, it all fitted very nicely together, made sense and worked very nicely. There was not one moment in the book where i was confused why something happened or why it happened during that specific time, rather the opposite really, since this book is one of those books where everything seems just rather natural.
As strange as that might sound for this kind of psychological thriller book and saying about it how the plot was feeling very natural.
The only thing that bothered me a bit throughout this book, is that i could not connect to any of the characters in any way.
And i do not understand why that was.
But i just never cared about any of the characters. Not the father not the children. I didn't really care if they would survive or not... which is strange. Because the entire book is basically based around that you should care how much the father fights for his children and himself to survive what is going on. And here i am sitting reading this and am enjoying how the book is writing and how the plot is told, but not caring even a bit about the actual people in it.
I have no idea if that was because the author never really introduced them in a way that made me really understand them and get a feel for them, or if something about this book was just not right for me personally... i really don't know what it was!
Even stranger the entire not caring about the characters didn't really make me enjoy the book less, even though it is practically character based and ... yeah you guys can see where this is going and why it confused even me!
All in all this was a great read, and i will defiantly recommend it to people that i know love and enjoy especially this kind of psychological thriller and rollercoaster ride this book was.
And i myself will definitely read what ever else i can get my hands on by this author!
If you want something great to read, something gripping and thrilling and at the same time fast paced and easy to read but will still be very enjoyable, read this and enjoy the ride!
February 20, 2017
This book brings to mind the outcome of standing dominoes on end and then pushing the first one to see them all tumble down. The story shows how one person's actions causes another's to follow. It is a really involved story of a family trying to come to grips with bad happenings in their life. The character development is excellent and I found myself feeling empathy for even the bad characters once I found out the reasons for their actions. Very fast paced and a really great read. I .recommend it highly.
Thanks to the author for sending me an ARC.
Thanks to the author for sending me an ARC.
February 22, 2017
This was a great read. There were so many twists and turns. It is hard to imagine that one decision can ruin your life. You always want to help your family but it is sometimes not the correct thing to do. I enjoyed this story. I received this book from Smith publicity for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
February 22, 2017
I liked the suspense in this book and how I tried to figure out what was going to happen next. I felt like the storyline got a bit messy and jumbled towards then end.
October 26, 2016
I was given an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Chris Beakey's Fatal Option captivated me from the beginning. Having spent years reading the thriller genre, I had all but stopped due to poor writing and plots that were too simple and dull. Not so with this one! The characters that Mr. Beakey created were so imaginable to me, as relatives, friends, and even the ones to fear. I carried them with me until well after I finished this book. The characters backgrounds and current behaviors were so plausible and clearly created with knowledge of what is realistic in cases of what these characters had previously experienced . I appreciated that because I tend to be skeptical if the behaviors of the characters is hard to believe.
I am not going to provide a synopsis of this novel, as others will do that, but suffice it to say that I absolutely loved this book and dreaded reaching the end because it would be over. I had to force myself to put it down in order to prepare meals for my family, and I have not been like that with a book in a very, very long time. There is simply nothing better than being so involved in a book that you cannot wait for the next twist and turn, of which there are many in this novel. All I can say is read this ASAP! You won't regret this one. It's a keeper to pass on to others, for sure. I look forward to more from Chris Beakey. He is a very gifted and talented author.
I am not going to provide a synopsis of this novel, as others will do that, but suffice it to say that I absolutely loved this book and dreaded reaching the end because it would be over. I had to force myself to put it down in order to prepare meals for my family, and I have not been like that with a book in a very, very long time. There is simply nothing better than being so involved in a book that you cannot wait for the next twist and turn, of which there are many in this novel. All I can say is read this ASAP! You won't regret this one. It's a keeper to pass on to others, for sure. I look forward to more from Chris Beakey. He is a very gifted and talented author.
January 3, 2017
Chris Beakey’s “Fatal Option” is a riveting novel that explores decisions that try one’s principles and common sense. When loved ones are threatened, emotion takes over and judgment falters. Beakey not only presents such problems and their tenuous decisions, he entangles them in a web of bad behavior by others that makes such poor judgment even more egregious.
Stephen Porter has picked a bad time to drink himself into oblivion over disastrous events in his life. His wife has apparently committed suicide. His teenage children are having wrenching personal problems that he can’t seem to handle. And now, to his foggy mind comes a call from his daughter, Sara, begging him to come to her rescue in a blinding blizzard in the Catoctin Mountains near their Maryland home. Still impaired, he abandons good sense and sets out to find her. Wouldn’t you?
A series of past and present events all congregate to further complicate his decision as murders, suicides, child abuse, sexual dysfunction, and accidental death combine into a stew of mind-crushing circumstances that seem to envelop everyone in the area. The author has packed these events into seemingly unsolvable problems but one just needs to keep reading because the author works it all out with startling realism. As I read, I kept pleading with the author, “Please, Chris, don’t fletch up the ending.” You’ll have to decide for yourself how he does in that regard.
August 24, 2017
Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher for advancing me a copy of “Fatal Option” by Chris Beakey in exchange for an honest review.
Simply amazing. Gripping? Yes. Suspenseful? Yes. A thriller? Yes. Fast Paced? Yes. “Fatal Option” is a must-read. I was hooked right from the start and kept on reading till the very end. The characters were intriguing, each one having his/her place in the story. When I finished, I kept thinking about all that went on. Talk about a novel that’s thought-provoking. I questioned everything including each character and what they did and their behaviour. Would I have done the same thing when I was a teenager? As an adult it's easy to give your opinion, say what's right and what's wrong because it's not happening to you but if you really think about it, put yourself in the exact situation, would your opinion change? I'm not a parent but had I been, would I have done the same thing the father did? There are many subplots the author has added and still, he delivers a well-written novel with substance that flows smoothly. The beginning, middle and end, all of it worked. I don’t want to give anything away so I’ll end my review here.
Simply amazing. Gripping? Yes. Suspenseful? Yes. A thriller? Yes. Fast Paced? Yes. “Fatal Option” is a must-read. I was hooked right from the start and kept on reading till the very end. The characters were intriguing, each one having his/her place in the story. When I finished, I kept thinking about all that went on. Talk about a novel that’s thought-provoking. I questioned everything including each character and what they did and their behaviour. Would I have done the same thing when I was a teenager? As an adult it's easy to give your opinion, say what's right and what's wrong because it's not happening to you but if you really think about it, put yourself in the exact situation, would your opinion change? I'm not a parent but had I been, would I have done the same thing the father did? There are many subplots the author has added and still, he delivers a well-written novel with substance that flows smoothly. The beginning, middle and end, all of it worked. I don’t want to give anything away so I’ll end my review here.
January 31, 2017
An excellent story that engages you from the first and had me trying to decide what I would do if I were the dad being called by his daughter on such a night and in such conditions (won't say more as I never give plot away) and then the options of what would I do seem to keep on coming!
The characters were ones I easily could sympathise with so some were very likable whilst others definitely not. The plot was easy to follow on the whole and the descriptive passages came across so well I could feel the icy coldness of the mountainside.
So an almost five star for me with just the final couple of chapters not quite hitting the spot. I can't say too much without it being a spoiler but I just couldn't go with how Sara handled things and it did not ring true of how I would expect a young girl having had the experiences she did would have behaved.
All that said I will certainly read Chris Beaky again as he is a great writer.
I was given this book from netgalley for a fair and true review. https://t.co/mhZ3PCHFrC
The characters were ones I easily could sympathise with so some were very likable whilst others definitely not. The plot was easy to follow on the whole and the descriptive passages came across so well I could feel the icy coldness of the mountainside.
So an almost five star for me with just the final couple of chapters not quite hitting the spot. I can't say too much without it being a spoiler but I just couldn't go with how Sara handled things and it did not ring true of how I would expect a young girl having had the experiences she did would have behaved.
All that said I will certainly read Chris Beaky again as he is a great writer.
I was given this book from netgalley for a fair and true review. https://t.co/mhZ3PCHFrC
January 31, 2017
Stephen Porter, recently widowed due to his wife's presumed suicide and trying to deal with his two children's issues and problems, turns to alcohol as a means of solace. During a night of binge drinking he gets a phone call from his terrified 17 yr. old daughter who is caught in a blizzard near the top of a mountain after having lied to her father as to her whereabouts-on the mountain for a secret assignation. Knowing he has no business driving in his drunken state he heads out to find her and bring her home. At the same time a high school teacher is searching the same mountain trying to find his autistic younger brother. Suffice it to say there are intersecting plot lines reaching from the past to the present with secrets unearthed and many twists and turns that emerge from that one fateful night. Great writing and characterization. An excellent thriller and mystery you won't want to put down so be prepared for a long night.
March 7, 2017
Thank you Net Gallery for the opportunity to read Fatal Option by Chris Beakey. I had never heard of Chris Beakey and I liked the cover for this novel. Well I am glad I did - from start to finish, this is a really good book. When two forces collide on a dark road, on a snowy evening, all "hell breaks loose".
I could not put this book down and that hasn't happened to me in awhile.
This is a thriller and mystery. Readers will be on the edge of their seat.
Really good - RECOMMEND!
I could not put this book down and that hasn't happened to me in awhile.
This is a thriller and mystery. Readers will be on the edge of their seat.
Really good - RECOMMEND!
February 3, 2017
A well paced novel exploring the mystery surrounding an apparent suicide, and the turmoil of a family finding their footing under rocky circumstances in a new town. The town's inhabitants are not the easiest to get along with... especially with a killer amongst their midst. This novel had me staying up late at night to find out who and how and had twists that I did not see coming. A thoroughly enjoyable read that I would recommend to lovers of suspense.
February 1, 2017
I was able to get an advance copy of this book and felt very honored to be one of the first to read it. I liked the character development and the suspense - very well paced and hard to put down. Since it takes place during a wintry snowstorm, it was even more fun to read since I was reading it during a snowy weekend in Wisconsin. I haven't read a suspenseful novel in such a long time - this was really a great way to get back into this genre.
April 14, 2017
The synopsis had me hooked and the book did not disappoint. I was drawn in from the first page. Brilliant pacing plot and strong, realistic characters. The book has it all: action, suspense mystery and family drama.
I recieved an advance reading copy of this from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. A brilliant thriller I did not want to end.
I recieved an advance reading copy of this from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. A brilliant thriller I did not want to end.
October 23, 2016
Chris Beakey has crafted a tense thriller, a grab-you-by-the-collar-and-won't-let-you-go-until-it's-done kind of novel. This book is a great escape: fun, full of twists, turns and Aha! moments, straight through to its murderous conclusion. Curl up with a copy as soon as you can.
October 10, 2016
Read at two sittings. Was unable to put it down.
February 21, 2017
A chilling thriller a tense multilayered book.Could not put down.
February 21, 2017
Very suspenseful from start to finish. Many mysteries going on simultaneously and then all come together for an exciting climax.
February 21, 2017
Bad things happen to good people
Author Chris Beakey splits his time between homes in Delaware and Washington, DC where he spends his days managing communications for Council for a Strong America, a non-profit, non-partisan organization that's creating a more secure nation by promoting smart investments in youth. He also manages to write novels that have gained publication – his debut novel was Double Abduction, for which he was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award, and his second novel is this magnificent work Fatal Option.
As was evident in his first novel DOUBLE ABDUCTION Chris Beakey again proves in FATAL OPTION that he has a keen sense of family dynamics – no matter the makeup of the family or the incidents that tamper with interactions or the traumas that schisms create when there is a break in the crystal globe or the effects of outside influences that alter internal responses. He simply gives his characters depth and then with these wholly complex and accessible characters he molds a story that is at once terrifying and full of sorrow for the events that lead to tragedy on every level.
The synopsis provided is superb and outlining the plot better would be difficult: ‘A tragic accident. A family in crisis. And a killer watching every move. On the coldest night of the year, Stephen Porter is pulled from a dreamless sleep by a midnight phone call. His 17-year-old daughter Sara is stranded in a blizzard near the top of a mountain beyond their suburban home. She's terrified and unable to stop crying as she begs him to come to her rescue. Unfortunately Stephen went to bed just an hour before after a night of binge drinking. With his blurred vision and unsteady balance he knows it’s dangerously irresponsible to get behind the wheel. But he heads out into the snowstorm to bring Sara home. High school teacher Kieran O’Shea is also behind the wheel, searching for his autistic younger brother Aidan, who is wandering aimlessly through the storm on that same mountain. Kieran is also terrified—of the voices in his mind, of the probability that Aidan will be taken away from him, and of the certainty that he will soon be arrested for murdering three women. In a matter of minutes Stephen will encounter Kieran and drive headlong into a collision that will force him to unlock the secret of his wife’s death, avoid prosecution, and protect his children from violence that hits all too close to home.’
With this second novel the handsome young Chris Beakey further establishes the promise that we have a new great author in our midst. Writing as fine as this is rare – and Chris is a force of nature. Very Highly Recommended.
Author Chris Beakey splits his time between homes in Delaware and Washington, DC where he spends his days managing communications for Council for a Strong America, a non-profit, non-partisan organization that's creating a more secure nation by promoting smart investments in youth. He also manages to write novels that have gained publication – his debut novel was Double Abduction, for which he was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award, and his second novel is this magnificent work Fatal Option.
As was evident in his first novel DOUBLE ABDUCTION Chris Beakey again proves in FATAL OPTION that he has a keen sense of family dynamics – no matter the makeup of the family or the incidents that tamper with interactions or the traumas that schisms create when there is a break in the crystal globe or the effects of outside influences that alter internal responses. He simply gives his characters depth and then with these wholly complex and accessible characters he molds a story that is at once terrifying and full of sorrow for the events that lead to tragedy on every level.
The synopsis provided is superb and outlining the plot better would be difficult: ‘A tragic accident. A family in crisis. And a killer watching every move. On the coldest night of the year, Stephen Porter is pulled from a dreamless sleep by a midnight phone call. His 17-year-old daughter Sara is stranded in a blizzard near the top of a mountain beyond their suburban home. She's terrified and unable to stop crying as she begs him to come to her rescue. Unfortunately Stephen went to bed just an hour before after a night of binge drinking. With his blurred vision and unsteady balance he knows it’s dangerously irresponsible to get behind the wheel. But he heads out into the snowstorm to bring Sara home. High school teacher Kieran O’Shea is also behind the wheel, searching for his autistic younger brother Aidan, who is wandering aimlessly through the storm on that same mountain. Kieran is also terrified—of the voices in his mind, of the probability that Aidan will be taken away from him, and of the certainty that he will soon be arrested for murdering three women. In a matter of minutes Stephen will encounter Kieran and drive headlong into a collision that will force him to unlock the secret of his wife’s death, avoid prosecution, and protect his children from violence that hits all too close to home.’
With this second novel the handsome young Chris Beakey further establishes the promise that we have a new great author in our midst. Writing as fine as this is rare – and Chris is a force of nature. Very Highly Recommended.
March 30, 2017
A father struggles as a single parent and connect with his children after his wife is killed in what appears to be an accident. One night his daughter calls during a severe blizzard distressed and begging for a lift home. He can’t help going to her assistance despite having had too much alcohol earlier in the night.
His teenage son and daughter are both struggling to come to terms with their peers, themselves and their family life after the death of their mother.
A local teacher cares for his autistic brother after they survive a traumatic childhood. He is also attracted to one of students.
The local detective in charge of the investigation has to decide between enforcing the law and friendship. Before the case is solved there will be more than one death and relationships will be tested to the max.
From the start I had doubts about the local teacher and if he was hiding something sinister. I swayed between thinking he was a good person struggling with demons or something worse. I had sympathy for the brother and sister and felt all their struggles. I was impressed how they got through some terrible times and to show more maturity than I expected.
Fantastic imagery created by this author. All the characters seemed so real and I felt like I was actually there as the scenes unfolded.
The ending was spectacular and I found my heart was in my mouth going from one person to another, crossing my fingers the wrong person wouldn’t get hurt. In the final pages something is revealed which may surprise and not surprise you.
Although I struggled with the thought of anyone doing the unthinkable and then deliberately covering their tracks I could also imagine the torment they would go through before and after making the wrong decision. I felt great admiration for someone who has the courage to right a wrong after keeping secrets for so long. At least the realization of the price to pay came before it was too late. I just hope I am never in a similar position.
I have to agree with others who say this author really does tell a great story of good people who do the wrong thing.
I can’t recommend this thriller enough. Make sure you put it on your reading list
A big thank you for the free digital copy of this book provided by the publisher via Netgalley and the review is solely mine.
His teenage son and daughter are both struggling to come to terms with their peers, themselves and their family life after the death of their mother.
A local teacher cares for his autistic brother after they survive a traumatic childhood. He is also attracted to one of students.
The local detective in charge of the investigation has to decide between enforcing the law and friendship. Before the case is solved there will be more than one death and relationships will be tested to the max.
From the start I had doubts about the local teacher and if he was hiding something sinister. I swayed between thinking he was a good person struggling with demons or something worse. I had sympathy for the brother and sister and felt all their struggles. I was impressed how they got through some terrible times and to show more maturity than I expected.
Fantastic imagery created by this author. All the characters seemed so real and I felt like I was actually there as the scenes unfolded.
The ending was spectacular and I found my heart was in my mouth going from one person to another, crossing my fingers the wrong person wouldn’t get hurt. In the final pages something is revealed which may surprise and not surprise you.
Although I struggled with the thought of anyone doing the unthinkable and then deliberately covering their tracks I could also imagine the torment they would go through before and after making the wrong decision. I felt great admiration for someone who has the courage to right a wrong after keeping secrets for so long. At least the realization of the price to pay came before it was too late. I just hope I am never in a similar position.
I have to agree with others who say this author really does tell a great story of good people who do the wrong thing.
I can’t recommend this thriller enough. Make sure you put it on your reading list
A big thank you for the free digital copy of this book provided by the publisher via Netgalley and the review is solely mine.
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