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Every Trace
The adrenaline-charged debut novel of a husband, a wife, and two killers locked in a twisted match of hide-and-seek. Ellen has murder on her mind: a secret, untraceable act of retribution; payback for a horrifying act from her childhood that shattered her family and changed her life forever. After years of searching, the time for action has arrived. She takes to the road in pursuit of a man called Walker--setting into motion a plan so carefully crafted no one knows where she's gone. Not even her husband, Pete, a college teacher who wakes up one morning alone in their bed. Unaware of her secret past, Pete suspects only that a troubled marriage has reached its end. With the slimmest of clues, a confused and desperate Pete leaves their Dallas home and begins to trace Ellen's path. Tracking Walker to Los Angeles, Ellen figures a gun to his head will get her the identity of the prey she ultimately seeks. But her plan takes a series of horribly unexpected turns, and--in a bizarre twist--she joins forces with Walker on a wild run that inevitably leads them both to an evil they cannot escape. As Pete pieces together the truth behind Ellen's disappearance, he realizes that his ignorance of his wife's secrets has not only jeopardized their marriage but may also cost Ellen her life. Certain of nothing but the need to find her, Pete crisscrosses the country in a harrowing race against the clock that ends on a brutal fiery confrontation on a New Mexico mountaintop. Both gripping suspense and powerful human drama, Every Trace deftly weaves together themes of betrayal and redemption in a novel no reader will soon forget.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 19, 2011
Gregg Main's first novel "Every Trace" is impressive.
Ellen Donnelly leaves her husband, Pete, perhaps after a marital dispute. She calls and tells him she's at her sister's home. When Pete calls to apologize, he learns that Ellen's sister has no idea where she might be.
Ellen is searching for Franklin Walker, who had been paroled after serving thirty years for the murder of Ellen's father.
In this plot driven novel, we learn of Ellen's plan of revenge and Pete's actions to locate his wife.
Things go wrong for Ellen and the story takes a dramatic turn as her life becomes endangered. During this time, Pete hires an investigator and learns some of the details of Ellen's father's murder.
The drama mounts as Ellen searches for the man who pulled the trigger and searches for the true reason for the murder.
There is plenty of action and Ellen's motivation is better understood when the reader understands that she witnessed the crime when she was five-years-old.
I also enjoyed learning more of Ellen's character and seeing the development of Franklin Walker as he goes from being a parolee who seemingly is a hardened criminal but becomes a compassionate person who wants to do what is right.
Ellen Donnelly leaves her husband, Pete, perhaps after a marital dispute. She calls and tells him she's at her sister's home. When Pete calls to apologize, he learns that Ellen's sister has no idea where she might be.
Ellen is searching for Franklin Walker, who had been paroled after serving thirty years for the murder of Ellen's father.
In this plot driven novel, we learn of Ellen's plan of revenge and Pete's actions to locate his wife.
Things go wrong for Ellen and the story takes a dramatic turn as her life becomes endangered. During this time, Pete hires an investigator and learns some of the details of Ellen's father's murder.
The drama mounts as Ellen searches for the man who pulled the trigger and searches for the true reason for the murder.
There is plenty of action and Ellen's motivation is better understood when the reader understands that she witnessed the crime when she was five-years-old.
I also enjoyed learning more of Ellen's character and seeing the development of Franklin Walker as he goes from being a parolee who seemingly is a hardened criminal but becomes a compassionate person who wants to do what is right.
June 8, 2023
This book had all the makings to be great. I was intrigued by the story line at first. But the writing was not good. The book was terribly slow and rather boring. Even at the end, when all the action started, it was still boring. It was also fairly predictable. What was supposed to be the “twist” at the end was something I saw coming from very early on in the book. I gave it two stars for good character development.
September 7, 2021
Read in 1999. Blurs the lines between good and evil.
April 24, 2008
Thirty years after her father's murder, a young woman secretly plots revenge on his killers but her plans go awry.
Highly recommend. Memorable characters. Psychological plot with lots of twists.
Highly recommend. Memorable characters. Psychological plot with lots of twists.
March 31, 2015
Meh...
The book started out well, and then just collapsed. I already knew who the 'bad' guy was by the 5th chapter. And then there was the horrible writing. Was this book not proofread? Where were the Edit and Grammar Police? Very disappointed....
The book started out well, and then just collapsed. I already knew who the 'bad' guy was by the 5th chapter. And then there was the horrible writing. Was this book not proofread? Where were the Edit and Grammar Police? Very disappointed....
July 11, 2015
Good book
The story line is really unique. The proofreading and editing is horrible. Since you get what you pay for, I guess I did. If I was the author I would be embarrassed to have my name attached to such a substandard product.
The story line is really unique. The proofreading and editing is horrible. Since you get what you pay for, I guess I did. If I was the author I would be embarrassed to have my name attached to such a substandard product.
July 5, 2013
Some interesting twists, but was too easy to figure out who ultimate "bad" guy was.
January 24, 2014
This was an interesting story. I could only give it 3 stars due to all the editing and proof reading that needed to be done.
March 21, 2015
Excellent.
A great fast paced and exciting story with a great cast of characters. The best part of this book were the great and unexpected surprises. Don't delay, read this book.
A great fast paced and exciting story with a great cast of characters. The best part of this book were the great and unexpected surprises. Don't delay, read this book.
April 3, 2015
A mixed bag
At times good, at times slow, at times boring with terrible proofreading. I did finish the book so therefore a 3.
At times good, at times slow, at times boring with terrible proofreading. I did finish the book so therefore a 3.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews