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Just a Breath Away
Kelsey March's sister is killed by a stalker, but the truth is not as it first appears . . .
Interior designer Kelsey March's world is shattered when a stalker murders her beautiful model sister while they're strolling together one balmy evening in Louisville, Kentucky. But there's far more to this murder than first appears - and it may have something to do with a young boy who walked away from an accident that killed his abusive mother some twenty years ago . . .
Interior designer Kelsey March's world is shattered when a stalker murders her beautiful model sister while they're strolling together one balmy evening in Louisville, Kentucky. But there's far more to this murder than first appears - and it may have something to do with a young boy who walked away from an accident that killed his abusive mother some twenty years ago . . .
256 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2018
338 people are currently reading
262 people want to read
About the author
Carlene Thompson
22 books254 followersCarlene Thompson is an author of suspense thriller novels.
Her first book, Black for Remembrance, was published in 1990 by Little, Brown and was well received. Her books are suspense novels, often with romantic elements and many take place in Thompson's home state of West Virginia. Her books often feature animals, which she bases on animals she knows in real life.
Her first book, Black for Remembrance, was published in 1990 by Little, Brown and was well received. Her books are suspense novels, often with romantic elements and many take place in Thompson's home state of West Virginia. Her books often feature animals, which she bases on animals she knows in real life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 8, 2018
This is not the Carlene Thompson that I once loved. I enjoyed her early novels, but now the contrived dialogue has become intolerable. I only got to page 33.
I can’t engage in the storyline because the dialogue is unbearable. Characters lack empathy or common sense or both in some cases.
For example, the officer in charge of taking the survivor’s statement just after the murder of her sister is there in the hospital engaging in a tangent about the history of his family name. What professional would do that at such a critical time?! And furthermore, why should the reader care!
Such drivel is just one of the many nonsensical examples throughout that slow down the pace of the story. Even things that the author wants the reader to know are often introduced to the reader in a way that makes the dialogue seem unnatural. I found it enormously frustrating, because well-written dialogue is the hallmark of a great fiction writer.
That said, I think this is the last book I will read by Thompson.
I can’t engage in the storyline because the dialogue is unbearable. Characters lack empathy or common sense or both in some cases.
For example, the officer in charge of taking the survivor’s statement just after the murder of her sister is there in the hospital engaging in a tangent about the history of his family name. What professional would do that at such a critical time?! And furthermore, why should the reader care!
Such drivel is just one of the many nonsensical examples throughout that slow down the pace of the story. Even things that the author wants the reader to know are often introduced to the reader in a way that makes the dialogue seem unnatural. I found it enormously frustrating, because well-written dialogue is the hallmark of a great fiction writer.
That said, I think this is the last book I will read by Thompson.
July 29, 2019
Meh. A patron had returned this at my branch, and said it was pretty good. I brought it home over the weekend, and I have to say, it's just OK. I wasn't crazy about the characters, and I wondered how Kelsey, our heroine, managed to keep her new business afloat when it seemed she was hardly ever there. I didn't get a lot of character development from the author, nor did I get much in the way of setting.
It felt like the villain came out of left field, even though it was a character that was introduced in the first half of the book (I hate when they bring in someone near the end and say "He did it! She's the killer!" or something like that).
Finally, there were the exclamation marks. SO MANY EXCLAMATION MARKS! Which gives the whole novel a rather melodramatic feel.
Not inclined to pick up another book by this author. However, in reading some reviews, it would appear that her earlier works were well-liked. So never say never.
It felt like the villain came out of left field, even though it was a character that was introduced in the first half of the book (I hate when they bring in someone near the end and say "He did it! She's the killer!" or something like that).
Finally, there were the exclamation marks. SO MANY EXCLAMATION MARKS! Which gives the whole novel a rather melodramatic feel.
Not inclined to pick up another book by this author. However, in reading some reviews, it would appear that her earlier works were well-liked. So never say never.
Want to read
July 30, 2018I loved this book. The fact there was a little romance thrown in made it even more interesting. It has your typical twists and turns , suspense, lies … it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
March 29, 2018
Who Shot Kelseys sister?
Why?
from beginning to end you will be confused and asking questions. I thought the prologue was flipping interesting but then chapter 1 happened and I was like confused!
This wasn't a enjoyable read for me, I found it to be slow and I really just wanted the author to get the point, and let me the whys and how's! I found there to be a lot of characters, and that alone had me like could it be them or them...
I am new to this author, so I want sure what I was expecting.
Why?
from beginning to end you will be confused and asking questions. I thought the prologue was flipping interesting but then chapter 1 happened and I was like confused!
This wasn't a enjoyable read for me, I found it to be slow and I really just wanted the author to get the point, and let me the whys and how's! I found there to be a lot of characters, and that alone had me like could it be them or them...
I am new to this author, so I want sure what I was expecting.
May 4, 2018
I enjoyed this book but I’m not sure on the genre. It appeared to be a crime thriller and at the last minute had some romance thrown in. It would be a good beach book.
The basic premise is Kelsey March is out with her supermodel sister Lorelei when Lorelei is gunned down and murdered. Kelsey suffers this loss deeply but why was her sister killed and who was the perpetrator.
I enjoyed the description of Kelsey’s true Southern family and some of the characters but the book did not flow and some parts seemed to be just to fill the pages rather than add anythin* to the story.
The basic premise is Kelsey March is out with her supermodel sister Lorelei when Lorelei is gunned down and murdered. Kelsey suffers this loss deeply but why was her sister killed and who was the perpetrator.
I enjoyed the description of Kelsey’s true Southern family and some of the characters but the book did not flow and some parts seemed to be just to fill the pages rather than add anythin* to the story.
June 3, 2018
Found this book quite hard to get in to because I felt the setting for this book was awkwardly handled at the beginning after the Prologue which was quite intriguing. Once the story started to take over the tale was far more enjoyable and took over. My first book by this author and the plot was clever with the protagonist not obvious and one or two false directions introduced to lead the reader in the wrong direction.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Carlene Thompson/Severn House for a digital copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Carlene Thompson/Severn House for a digital copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 6, 2019
Just couldn't get into it.
April 23, 2022
I like Carlene Thompson but this book definitely wasn't her best
Eh. This book was kind of a disappointing read. I read it all the way through but only because the first book I read by this author was so good. This one, not so much. There were a lot of editorial mistakes here and there such as missing words, and this story contained a large number of extraneous, distracting details that didn't need to be in the story. The good thing, though, is that this novel did have some good characters, like Enzo Pike, and also, it did have some surprises at the end. I'm a fairly experienced mystery reader and while I figured out who had but was about 60% through the book, there were still several surprises for me that I absolutely didn't expect until I reached them. So it wasn't a complete waste. If they'd clean up the editing, the book would be better. Anyway, I'll read another book by her and give her one more chance.
Eh. This book was kind of a disappointing read. I read it all the way through but only because the first book I read by this author was so good. This one, not so much. There were a lot of editorial mistakes here and there such as missing words, and this story contained a large number of extraneous, distracting details that didn't need to be in the story. The good thing, though, is that this novel did have some good characters, like Enzo Pike, and also, it did have some surprises at the end. I'm a fairly experienced mystery reader and while I figured out who had but was about 60% through the book, there were still several surprises for me that I absolutely didn't expect until I reached them. So it wasn't a complete waste. If they'd clean up the editing, the book would be better. Anyway, I'll read another book by her and give her one more chance.
April 29, 2018
Just A Breath Away is spellbinding tale that will capture your attention from the very first page, and hold it tightly until the last! The well crafted story line follows character Kelsey March on her journey to find her sister's killer, and just when she thinks she might know who and why, another character pops onto the trail and leaves her befuddled all over again. Who would want to kill this beautiful young woman, and what does it have to do with a young boy who walked away from accident?
The twists and turns will keep you will keep you teetering on the edge of your seat, and the revolving door of secondary character introductions will have you constantly second guessing yourself, it's one heck of a whodunit thriller! Highly recommend this one!!!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed.
The twists and turns will keep you will keep you teetering on the edge of your seat, and the revolving door of secondary character introductions will have you constantly second guessing yourself, it's one heck of a whodunit thriller! Highly recommend this one!!!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed.
May 8, 2018
Kelsey March and her sister Lorelei are walking home from a bar when Lorelei is shot and killed by an apparent stalker. Further investigation brings into question who was the target Lorelei or Kelsey. When people close to Kelsey start to die who is responsible and what is their motive?
There are a lot of characters in this book to keep straight, which also makes for a lot of suspects. I was looking in one direction when the real killer came from a totally different direction. I was torn what to rate this book. I enjoyed this book but not as much as her first two books Black For Remembrance and All Fall Down. I will continue to read this author for a good suspense read. Thank you to net galley for an advanced copy of this book.
There are a lot of characters in this book to keep straight, which also makes for a lot of suspects. I was looking in one direction when the real killer came from a totally different direction. I was torn what to rate this book. I enjoyed this book but not as much as her first two books Black For Remembrance and All Fall Down. I will continue to read this author for a good suspense read. Thank you to net galley for an advanced copy of this book.
June 12, 2022
Just a Breath Away, was better than expected after reading other reviews. There's nothing upbeat about it, but then again, it is a murder mystery, with some interesting twists and turns.
Kelsey and her beautiful, famous model sister are leaving their favorite pub when Lorilei is gunned down and dies in Kelsey's arms. The pub's owner comes to the rescue and saves Kelsey before the gunman can take her out too. The perp is killed and things go down hill from there.
Was the gunman hired, who was he targeting, Kelsey or her sister, or both? He was probably a stalker, or perhaps someone their father did business with, a disgruntled employee, or jealous boyfriend. The police are all over the case, but this family suffers one crisis after another, before the culprit and the truth is known.
Kelsey and her beautiful, famous model sister are leaving their favorite pub when Lorilei is gunned down and dies in Kelsey's arms. The pub's owner comes to the rescue and saves Kelsey before the gunman can take her out too. The perp is killed and things go down hill from there.
Was the gunman hired, who was he targeting, Kelsey or her sister, or both? He was probably a stalker, or perhaps someone their father did business with, a disgruntled employee, or jealous boyfriend. The police are all over the case, but this family suffers one crisis after another, before the culprit and the truth is known.
August 17, 2023
Not recommended
Honestly, it was difficult pushing myself to finish this book. Kelsey, the main character, did not have realistic reactions to all the tragedies she encountered. It lacks authenticity.
The descriptions of absolutely everything - the furnishings, clothing, Declan's "sparkling blue eyes" ad nauseam - adds no value to the story and is unnecessary filler.
I am not sure who edits these books, but it's "okay" spelled out. It should not be "OK" in literary works. This is a huge pet peeve of mine.
It's generous to rate this 2 of 5 stars; however, every author invests a lot of time in writing a book and should be given credit for this alone.
Honestly, it was difficult pushing myself to finish this book. Kelsey, the main character, did not have realistic reactions to all the tragedies she encountered. It lacks authenticity.
The descriptions of absolutely everything - the furnishings, clothing, Declan's "sparkling blue eyes" ad nauseam - adds no value to the story and is unnecessary filler.
I am not sure who edits these books, but it's "okay" spelled out. It should not be "OK" in literary works. This is a huge pet peeve of mine.
It's generous to rate this 2 of 5 stars; however, every author invests a lot of time in writing a book and should be given credit for this alone.
February 28, 2022
I am annoyed that I read this book. There was enough suspense that I finished it while hoping the protagonist would grow into some depth with personality, emotions, or a voice, but she didn't. There were a lot of extraneous characters that weren't necessary to the story, which had all the makings of a great thriller. But the sister and Grandfather of the main character are murdered in front of her and she simply went back to work without trying to figure out why that happened and waited for more drama and murders to unfold.
April 18, 2022
When someone takes revenge a bit too seriously and is ruining someone else’s life involving murders and leaving them for the victim to find. This book is a murder investigation, the police are trying to find the person linking them to all the deaths of the people the victim is close to. It is full of suspense and many plot twists that you wont see coming and some maybe you wouldn’t even think of. There there are many reunions involved at different times in the book.
Let the suspense begin and enjoy the rollercoaster or emotions.
Let the suspense begin and enjoy the rollercoaster or emotions.
May 21, 2018
Could the person who killed Lorelei have really meant to kill Kelsey? This starts off with a dramatic opening but then the mystery of what really happened, as Kelsey tries to find the killer, sets in. There's a second plot line that I found confusing at first but Thompson, an experienced writer, does pull it all together. There are twists as you might expect. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
June 21, 2020
I've read every single crime novel by Carlene Thompson. The last 3 books were not up to par, but still somewhat readable.
This one however is a big disappointment. Too much dialogue, too little atmosphere.
After 40 pages I gave up and will sell the brandnew book on amazon.
"All Fall Down" and "Tonight you're mine" are her master pieces.
I really wish Carlene Thompson could return to her compelling writing style from way back in the 1990's.
This one however is a big disappointment. Too much dialogue, too little atmosphere.
After 40 pages I gave up and will sell the brandnew book on amazon.
"All Fall Down" and "Tonight you're mine" are her master pieces.
I really wish Carlene Thompson could return to her compelling writing style from way back in the 1990's.
June 18, 2022
Could have been better
I was excited to read a book set so close to home in Louisville, KY but ended up being disappointed. The plot and suspense were interesting and kept you guessing till the end. However, the author, and subsequent editors, did not get the most basic Kentucky Derby fact right. It is always ran on a Saturday, NOT a Sunday as stated in the book. It has been the first Saturday in May for many many years. I had to take away a star for that
I was excited to read a book set so close to home in Louisville, KY but ended up being disappointed. The plot and suspense were interesting and kept you guessing till the end. However, the author, and subsequent editors, did not get the most basic Kentucky Derby fact right. It is always ran on a Saturday, NOT a Sunday as stated in the book. It has been the first Saturday in May for many many years. I had to take away a star for that
September 3, 2021
3**
Almost gave up. My very first impression was that this was being written for a young audience, with all the mundane "Vogue" talk with superficial rich kid babble. Took quite a while to get into the real story. The characters all seemed shallow. Too my surprise was the reason for all the havoc the family went through. Revenge, but who caused it all was a surprise.
Almost gave up. My very first impression was that this was being written for a young audience, with all the mundane "Vogue" talk with superficial rich kid babble. Took quite a while to get into the real story. The characters all seemed shallow. Too my surprise was the reason for all the havoc the family went through. Revenge, but who caused it all was a surprise.
December 3, 2021
This should be made into a TV series, maybe they could call it Dallas, full of disturbed people with no credibility whatsoever, I couldn't even like the main character Kelsey, who seemed to get over the death of her family and friends very easily. Terrible book I really struggled to finish. So glad I didn't pay much for it. Will be avoiding this author from now on.
July 14, 2018
Awesome Author
I have been reading Carlene Thompson books for a number of years ,loving them all and this one was no exception. I just wish she wrote her books a little quicker I can't wait for the next one. If you haven't read her books I would definitely recommend that you do,
I have been reading Carlene Thompson books for a number of years ,loving them all and this one was no exception. I just wish she wrote her books a little quicker I can't wait for the next one. If you haven't read her books I would definitely recommend that you do,
September 30, 2020
I've read every book Carlene Thompson has wrote and can't wait for her next book. With that said I was so disappointed in this book. It was a good story line but a lot of the story was very unbelievable and badly written. I will not give up on her though and still look forward to the next book
September 30, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed this thriller, great characters and plot
When Kelsey's model sister Lori comes to visit, everything falls apart. Lori is shot dead, Kelsey survives. But then more unexpected events. So many characters, so much intrigue. Some fab twists to keep you gyessing
When Kelsey's model sister Lori comes to visit, everything falls apart. Lori is shot dead, Kelsey survives. But then more unexpected events. So many characters, so much intrigue. Some fab twists to keep you gyessing
January 8, 2023
An OK read
Too much repetition..restating of things you have already read and much too drawn out with way too many unnecessary details. Overall, it wasn’t a bad read and the storyline was decent. The first one was better.
Too much repetition..restating of things you have already read and much too drawn out with way too many unnecessary details. Overall, it wasn’t a bad read and the storyline was decent. The first one was better.
January 1, 2025
2.75 I just wasn’t buying a lot of what the author was trying to convey. A good amount of dialogue seemed so forced to keep the story going quicker. Also, I saw the twist coming. Not a complete waste of time, but I could have spent the time on a better book.
May 25, 2018
I love all her books.
October 13, 2018
The story itself was good, but I felt as if the dialogue sometimes went on and on. And even though there are only 250 pages, it seemed to drag on.
March 26, 2019
Carlene never fails me.
January 26, 2020
Great read.
This book keeps you guessing all the way through. I enjoyed the story and the surprise ending. Looking forward to another book by Carlene.
This book keeps you guessing all the way through. I enjoyed the story and the surprise ending. Looking forward to another book by Carlene.
April 23, 2020
Carlene Thompson does it again...she is the best at writing a story that until the very end you will not be sure who the villain is...she is one of my favorites...don't miss this one!
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June 17, 2020Carleen Thompson
Shocking! As always, Ms. Thompson wrote a great thriller. An interesting story. Love her writing about pets! I have told other people about her books.
Shocking! As always, Ms. Thompson wrote a great thriller. An interesting story. Love her writing about pets! I have told other people about her books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews