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The Bend
Kate sees death in photographs. Before it happens.Gift or curse? As the lone survivor of a school bombing, she's hid from the press for twenty years. Her new job as a photographer in the rural town of Bend, PA offers her another safe haven from bold reporters.Until women start disappearing.Each missing woman appears to have a connection to a mysterious local cult, and Seth, Bend's only reporter, sets out to investigate. His drastic plans to expose the members make Kate fear for his--and her own--safety, but can she trust him enough to reveal her secrets?The wrong answer could get one, or both of them killed.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2017
165 people are currently reading
494 people want to read
About the author
Terri Tiffany
13 books22 followersTerri Tiffany writes fiction while helping her husband build their home along the banks of the Susquehanna River in her hometown state of PA. Before she wrote full-time, she enjoyed careers as a bookstore owner, a counselor, a nursing home social worker and a Realtor. She is a multi-published author in magazines and anthologies.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 19, 2018
The story grabbed me from the start! I loved the unique story-line of the MC’s special “gift", and Tiffany does a great job of making it truly believable.
The setting for this story—the town of Bend, PA—is nothing short of eerie. The perfect backdrop for a suspense novel, complete with a cult-like community.
The pace was very good—a real page-turner. The characters are well-developed, and the tension between them kept the story engaging in between the action scenes. The author did a great job of creating multiple suspects to keep me guessing throughout.
Tiffany does a great job of wrapping up all the loose ends. Disappointing—I would have loved a sequel!
This story would appeal to a broad audience. My husband started reading it last night. He said, "Wow. This is a really good book."
I look forward to reading her next book.
The setting for this story—the town of Bend, PA—is nothing short of eerie. The perfect backdrop for a suspense novel, complete with a cult-like community.
The pace was very good—a real page-turner. The characters are well-developed, and the tension between them kept the story engaging in between the action scenes. The author did a great job of creating multiple suspects to keep me guessing throughout.
Tiffany does a great job of wrapping up all the loose ends. Disappointing—I would have loved a sequel!
This story would appeal to a broad audience. My husband started reading it last night. He said, "Wow. This is a really good book."
I look forward to reading her next book.
March 23, 2017
I am so glad to have found this book! I swear I got more chores done than usual because I wouldn't let myself go read until I had done some housework first! I wiped down kitchen countertops and raced to through the laundry in wondering how Kate was going to deal with the situation in The Bend.
The story is compelling, creepy enough to keep me reading, but without gratuitous violence that can be disturbing. The pacing is so well crafted that I never felt a drag or urge to skim out of section. It's times like these that make me miss talking to people (even 8th graders) about author's craft and real world connections.
There are a lot of ways to end this story - or continue it, and I applaud Tiffany for avoiding cliche and successfully creating a just-right read!
The story is compelling, creepy enough to keep me reading, but without gratuitous violence that can be disturbing. The pacing is so well crafted that I never felt a drag or urge to skim out of section. It's times like these that make me miss talking to people (even 8th graders) about author's craft and real world connections.
There are a lot of ways to end this story - or continue it, and I applaud Tiffany for avoiding cliche and successfully creating a just-right read!
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December 11, 2017It was a very good book
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August 9, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/9/2020)! 🎁
January 20, 2019
3.5 stars. The story had a great pace, the main characters were believable and likable, and the plot was a real nail-biter. But the end left me with some major questions. Maybe there’s going to be a sequel and it was done on purpose? If there is, I would read it. I liked this book, it just didn’t tie together as nice as I would’ve liked. I’m glad this is a book club read so I can discuss all my questions in length with others!
March 20, 2017
The Bend is a suspense story that is fast paced and keeps you reading beyond your best intentions. The main characters, Seth and Kate were real, well-rounded, each with a story of their own that also kept me wanting to get to know them better as well as their circumstances. And the author didn't disappoint. I wonder if Seth and Kate will be back again in a future adventure? Well, one can hope! I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading and doesn't mind a well written story, suspense, conflict, mystery, and a little bit of murder.
April 9, 2017
A fun read!
This was a good book! The lead character, Kate, is a strong and very likable character. Seth at times comes off as a prideful yet bumbling character who in the end pulls it all together to save the day. A few plot twists and surprises makes this a book that's hard to put down.
This was a good book! The lead character, Kate, is a strong and very likable character. Seth at times comes off as a prideful yet bumbling character who in the end pulls it all together to save the day. A few plot twists and surprises makes this a book that's hard to put down.
March 10, 2017
I couldn't read this book before going to bed because it creeped me out. Until I got toward the end and then I had to keep reading until I finished it. Very suspenseful. Good conflict between the characters and I liked the gradual process of the two main characters learning to work together. Sadly, the cult premise is all too true in this day and age.
I think anyone who likes contemporary suspense set in a small town would like this book. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I think anyone who likes contemporary suspense set in a small town would like this book. I look forward to reading more from this author.
March 5, 2018
Although this book was an easy read, it left me feeling robbed of my time. The characters were under developed, the storylines lacked connection, and the ending left me with more questions than answers. The author spent an exorbitant amount of time building a story about an evil cult and failed to finish that story. The numerous misspellings and grammatical errors became distracting. Did anyone else notice the amount of food being eaten by the characters? Every other chapter talked about food - pizza, doughnuts, lollipops, sandwiches, tuna fish; there was a moment I thought it may have something to do with the plot. It didnt. It simply left me hungry... Hungry for food and hungry for a believable plot.
November 2, 2018
Good thriller with lots of twists and turns
Who do you trust? In this book you just can’t tell until you are well along in the story. Fast easy read that keeps you up at night.
Who do you trust? In this book you just can’t tell until you are well along in the story. Fast easy read that keeps you up at night.
June 19, 2017
A non stop thriller. A lot of twists and turns.
September 7, 2017
Good Read
Easy read, really enjoyed the main characters, would hope there is some sort of sequel. I really enjoyed the book from this author and plan to read more.
Easy read, really enjoyed the main characters, would hope there is some sort of sequel. I really enjoyed the book from this author and plan to read more.
May 14, 2018
like this one. read all of the book. good story. made me want to guess who, what, and why. i like how the storyteller tells her story
July 22, 2019
A less than thrilling thriller
I was so eager to dive headlong into this read and lose myself in the story but the longer I read, the more it felt like an obligation I had to complete, rather than the compelling page-turner I hoped it would be. It had good bones which made it all the more disappointing when the story seemed to lack propulsion forward. Set in a town that could easily mirror any in small-town America, the characters encountered seem on the surface to be quite intriguing. As the reader, I waited to read as their stories and motivations unfolded, which unfortunately did not happen. Also, in terms of character development, there seemed to be conflicts in the thoughts/actions of the protagonist. Often narrative in later pages did not ring true based on earlier insights into Kate’s experiences. There were sprinkles of details that, because they were not expanded upon, just muddied the waters. For example, mention of Seth having a sister. This detail was an excellent opportunity to gain insight into why Seth is so aloof and judgmental with Kate but, alas, it was not capitalized upon.
Overall, this could be a young adult read but as an avid adult reader, it definitely missed the mark. Another side note: For readers with a keen eye for editing errors, such as myself, there were several editing misses (at least 7-10), everything from wrong words (that because they were correctly spelled would be missed by spell check) to in complete thoughts/sentences. Hopefully, any future works will show a progression in character development, tightening up a plot, and overall readability.
I was so eager to dive headlong into this read and lose myself in the story but the longer I read, the more it felt like an obligation I had to complete, rather than the compelling page-turner I hoped it would be. It had good bones which made it all the more disappointing when the story seemed to lack propulsion forward. Set in a town that could easily mirror any in small-town America, the characters encountered seem on the surface to be quite intriguing. As the reader, I waited to read as their stories and motivations unfolded, which unfortunately did not happen. Also, in terms of character development, there seemed to be conflicts in the thoughts/actions of the protagonist. Often narrative in later pages did not ring true based on earlier insights into Kate’s experiences. There were sprinkles of details that, because they were not expanded upon, just muddied the waters. For example, mention of Seth having a sister. This detail was an excellent opportunity to gain insight into why Seth is so aloof and judgmental with Kate but, alas, it was not capitalized upon.
Overall, this could be a young adult read but as an avid adult reader, it definitely missed the mark. Another side note: For readers with a keen eye for editing errors, such as myself, there were several editing misses (at least 7-10), everything from wrong words (that because they were correctly spelled would be missed by spell check) to in complete thoughts/sentences. Hopefully, any future works will show a progression in character development, tightening up a plot, and overall readability.
April 27, 2020
A woman on the run from a tragic past and a supernatural gift winds up as a photographer for a newspaper in a small town. the town it seems is run by a cult lead by a charismatic reverend/funeral home owner. They are a mean riff on the Amish and aim to turn the women of the town into Stepford wives sans the hot fashions. She finds the only reporter a competitive jerk. Women start disappearing and soon our intrepid photographer is one of them. The disappearance has more to do with her past than she would like to admit. In the meantime, her reporter colleague realizes she is in jeopardy and is shocked by his feelings.
This book just fell flat. the cult thing never really panned out and the ending is a disappointment. I was not convinced by the kidnapper/killers motivation and the reporter's feelings for the photographer were not believable. The resolution was pat and unsatisfying. As for Kate the photographer it didn't make sense that she would still be pursued after the passage of time. She was yesteryear's hot story; not today's. Additionally, her career choice made no sense as it put her in the public eye, something she so assiduously avoided.
The supernatural elements were given short shrift. Disappointing as there was some promise in the storyline.
This book just fell flat. the cult thing never really panned out and the ending is a disappointment. I was not convinced by the kidnapper/killers motivation and the reporter's feelings for the photographer were not believable. The resolution was pat and unsatisfying. As for Kate the photographer it didn't make sense that she would still be pursued after the passage of time. She was yesteryear's hot story; not today's. Additionally, her career choice made no sense as it put her in the public eye, something she so assiduously avoided.
The supernatural elements were given short shrift. Disappointing as there was some promise in the storyline.
May 5, 2017
If you’ve read the other 5-star reviews for this novel, you have a pretty good idea just how exciting The Bend is.
Kate has a gift—or is it—and she’s up-to-here-tired of moving to escape all she’s left behind. She settles into a new job in a new town, but finds with no forewarning that she’s in for the ride of a lifetime in a place where things aren’t what they should be.
Seth senses something big in his journalism future if he can ever begin to understand the enigma named Kate he now works with. There’s a lot more to her than simply having an amazing talent for photography. Since she arrived, an elusive darkness that seems to hover above the town has grown heavier. Working alongside Kate is proving to be a challenge in this place where women suddenly go missing.
Terri Tiffany is very good at holding you hostage to a well-told story. She never lets you reach the end of a scene break or a single chapter where you can put the book down and breathe! There’s too great an urge to see what’s around the next bend! Recommended read, and I look forward to Tiffany's next book.
Kate has a gift—or is it—and she’s up-to-here-tired of moving to escape all she’s left behind. She settles into a new job in a new town, but finds with no forewarning that she’s in for the ride of a lifetime in a place where things aren’t what they should be.
Seth senses something big in his journalism future if he can ever begin to understand the enigma named Kate he now works with. There’s a lot more to her than simply having an amazing talent for photography. Since she arrived, an elusive darkness that seems to hover above the town has grown heavier. Working alongside Kate is proving to be a challenge in this place where women suddenly go missing.
Terri Tiffany is very good at holding you hostage to a well-told story. She never lets you reach the end of a scene break or a single chapter where you can put the book down and breathe! There’s too great an urge to see what’s around the next bend! Recommended read, and I look forward to Tiffany's next book.
May 11, 2019
An interesting story about a cult in a town
The main character is Kate. Kate has a gift, She is a photographer and can see things in her photographs. She is running from an event in her past - a bombing where everyone was killed except her - and now journalists want her story - so every time someone discovers who she is she moves again. So, being a photographer for a newspaper seems like it doesn;t fit... but photography is her passion. She end up in Bend.. a town with a cult. She is starting a new job as a photographer in a small newpaper with a writer named Seth
KAte begins to question (as well as Seth) Why does Brother Earl - and his men followers - rule the town.? Why are the women so submissive? Why are several women missing?
The main character is Kate. Kate has a gift, She is a photographer and can see things in her photographs. She is running from an event in her past - a bombing where everyone was killed except her - and now journalists want her story - so every time someone discovers who she is she moves again. So, being a photographer for a newspaper seems like it doesn;t fit... but photography is her passion. She end up in Bend.. a town with a cult. She is starting a new job as a photographer in a small newpaper with a writer named Seth
KAte begins to question (as well as Seth) Why does Brother Earl - and his men followers - rule the town.? Why are the women so submissive? Why are several women missing?
March 11, 2018
The Bend
Holy Moses! This was definitely a chilling, thrilling book! I couldn't put it down. Hah! Maybe even have nightmares!! Well, not really, but this book was great. Thanks for hours of enjoyment in a chilling way!
Holy Moses! This was definitely a chilling, thrilling book! I couldn't put it down. Hah! Maybe even have nightmares!! Well, not really, but this book was great. Thanks for hours of enjoyment in a chilling way!
July 5, 2019
Kept me guessing for quite a long time.
Just finished this book and found it entertaining and exciting. Really an enjoyable, fast-paced read.
Would highly recommend this to anyone who loves psychological thrillers.
Just finished this book and found it entertaining and exciting. Really an enjoyable, fast-paced read.
Would highly recommend this to anyone who loves psychological thrillers.
May 9, 2020
Reasonably good story line with a couple of twists. Too much going around the houses and became a bit of a chore to read. Some name errors around the middle of the book on my Kindle copy also; it was free though...
May 30, 2017
Not my style
Didn't feel like it was the story type that I wanted to read. Nothing wrong with it, just not in the mood
Didn't feel like it was the story type that I wanted to read. Nothing wrong with it, just not in the mood
February 13, 2019
3.5 stars
May 4, 2020
Great
I enjoyed this book a lot. Crazy to think stuff like this can truly happen. I wouldn't call this book a psychological thriller. But was a great book
I enjoyed this book a lot. Crazy to think stuff like this can truly happen. I wouldn't call this book a psychological thriller. But was a great book
November 30, 2020
Intriguing story line
A great story which kept the suspense growing. Highly recommend! Will follow this author as liked her style. Well done.
A great story which kept the suspense growing. Highly recommend! Will follow this author as liked her style. Well done.
May 3, 2017
This was a fairly dark, fascinating murder mystery that kept me guessing for quite a while! It was all nicely blended into a story of bombings and cult followings, populated by lively characters with true emotions. Great job especially on the fear toward the book’s end. I enjoyed Kate’s viewpoint as well as Seth’s—along with the viewpoint from the man with the twisted nature that the book opens with. I really liked Kate’s “gift” of seeing death auras in photographs; that concept was written quite believably into a contemporary setting. This book is bit darker than I usually read, but it wasn’t gory or depressing, and it wasn’t dark the whole way through—it was livened with shots of humor and other sleuthing subplots.
Some typos, name mistakes, and formatting issues (indentation) aside, this was a very enjoyable and gripping read.
Some typos, name mistakes, and formatting issues (indentation) aside, this was a very enjoyable and gripping read.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews