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One Fatal Mistake
The author of Killer Choice, a thriller "full of shocks and twists you won't see coming" (Lee Child), delivers another nail-biting novel about a hit-and-run and a lie that goes horribly wrong.Her son accidentally kills a man.They cover it up.Then everything goes wrong.When eighteen-year-old Joshua Mayo takes a man's life in a terrible accident, he leaves the scene without reporting the crime to the police. He hopes to put the awful night behind him and move on with his life. But, of course, he ends up telling his mother, Karen, what happened.Karen has raised Joshua on her own in Cedar Rapids, Iowa--and she'd thought they'd finally made it. He was doing well in school and was only months away from starting college at his dream school. After hearing his dark confession, she's forced to make a choice no parent should have to make. A choice that draws them both into a web of deceit that will change their lives forever--if they can make it out alive.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2019
48 people are currently reading
3271 people want to read
About the author
Tom Hunt
2 books117 followersAuthor of KILLER CHOICE and ONE FATAL MISTAKE. Born and raised in Iowa, always a Hawkeye, live in NYC now.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
June 25, 2019
One Fatal Mistake by Tom Hunt is a 2019 Berkley publication.
Tense, fast paced and compulsively readable-
Eighteen- year old Joshua Mayo is involved in a hit and run accident and is hoping to keep it covered up, especially from his mother, Karen. But, as mothers often do, Karen eventually learns the truth.
Meanwhile, a bank robbery goes horribly awry. The robbers, Ross and Amber, a married couple, fleeing with their booty, experience car trouble.
Inexplicably, Josh and Karen and Ross and Amber’s lives collide forcing Karen to do the unthinkable to save her son’s life.
There is never a dull moment in this emotional, high-octane thriller. It was very easy to get sucked into the saga, especially between Karen and her son. The story feels a little like a cautionary tale, although the main theme throughout is that of familial bonds and the lengths one might go to in order to save someone they love.
It is curious how we all set bars at different heights when it comes plausibility limits. I’m one who firmly believes that fiction should be given the benefit of the doubt, and that is especially true with thrillers. In this case, however, I felt I had to overlook a few too many improbabilities. Sometimes it was the dialogue I took issue with, and of course some of the scenarios and rationalizations didn’t seem realistic or make much sense to me.
Maybe try burning something that is not food on a grill, then putting hot items in a plastic trash bag- for example. What mother of an eighteen- year old son doesn’t know what PS4 stands for? And that ridiculous explanation Josh gave Karen for the damage to his car. Nope- that wouldn't have flown with me- at all.
Stupid little things like that got on my nerves a little bit. But, maybe I’m just being ticky-tacky today.
Despite that, the book is an edge of your seat thrill ride. Not only that, there is a somber, emotional edge to it, especially at the conclusion. No soft sell or slaps on the wrist. Still, I rooted for the characters, hoping that everything would work out for the best.
The author did a great job with putting the characters in situations that force the reader to consider how they might react under the same set of circumstances. That question is at the heart of the story more than anything else.
So, overall, this is a fast and easy read, and even though I balked at a few absurdities on several occasions, this is still a solid, entertaining crime drama.
3.5 stars rounded down
Tense, fast paced and compulsively readable-
Eighteen- year old Joshua Mayo is involved in a hit and run accident and is hoping to keep it covered up, especially from his mother, Karen. But, as mothers often do, Karen eventually learns the truth.
Meanwhile, a bank robbery goes horribly awry. The robbers, Ross and Amber, a married couple, fleeing with their booty, experience car trouble.
Inexplicably, Josh and Karen and Ross and Amber’s lives collide forcing Karen to do the unthinkable to save her son’s life.
There is never a dull moment in this emotional, high-octane thriller. It was very easy to get sucked into the saga, especially between Karen and her son. The story feels a little like a cautionary tale, although the main theme throughout is that of familial bonds and the lengths one might go to in order to save someone they love.
It is curious how we all set bars at different heights when it comes plausibility limits. I’m one who firmly believes that fiction should be given the benefit of the doubt, and that is especially true with thrillers. In this case, however, I felt I had to overlook a few too many improbabilities. Sometimes it was the dialogue I took issue with, and of course some of the scenarios and rationalizations didn’t seem realistic or make much sense to me.
Maybe try burning something that is not food on a grill, then putting hot items in a plastic trash bag- for example. What mother of an eighteen- year old son doesn’t know what PS4 stands for? And that ridiculous explanation Josh gave Karen for the damage to his car. Nope- that wouldn't have flown with me- at all.
Stupid little things like that got on my nerves a little bit. But, maybe I’m just being ticky-tacky today.
Despite that, the book is an edge of your seat thrill ride. Not only that, there is a somber, emotional edge to it, especially at the conclusion. No soft sell or slaps on the wrist. Still, I rooted for the characters, hoping that everything would work out for the best.
The author did a great job with putting the characters in situations that force the reader to consider how they might react under the same set of circumstances. That question is at the heart of the story more than anything else.
So, overall, this is a fast and easy read, and even though I balked at a few absurdities on several occasions, this is still a solid, entertaining crime drama.
3.5 stars rounded down
December 16, 2018
3.75🌟
One mistake. One cover up.... a whole lot of trouble!
Joshua needs to stash the evidence right away. Something very bad happened tonight. A mangled car. A body...blood everywhere! He can’t let this ruin his life. He has high school graduation around the corner! College waiting for him... NOT NOW!
Okay, stay calm… maybe no one will find out. But what if a small clue was left behind. Is it worth the risk to go back and search?
Amber and Ross just pulled off a huge bank robbery, and running hard from the law and family!
They’re unstoppable. No one can catch them as they drive off happily into the sunset.
Yes, we know better by now! No one gets away that easily. And trouble may be right around the next corner.
How far would you go to protect someone you love?
There was a great deal of this book I enjoyed, and then parts that just left me somewhat frustrated.
The writing is easy and flows quickly. I was fond of all the characters, though not all their choices.
I felt this was an all-around good read. On the lighter side of the thriller/suspense spectrum.
But, my believability police were earning their overtime. I struggled a bit believing the steps these characters would take. Just seemed a bit over the top!
Overall, I would say the positive outweighed the negative! And I ended up enjoying this thrill ride! Hope you will too!
A buddy read with Susanne!☃️
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley Publishing for a galley copy to read and review.
One mistake. One cover up.... a whole lot of trouble!
Joshua needs to stash the evidence right away. Something very bad happened tonight. A mangled car. A body...blood everywhere! He can’t let this ruin his life. He has high school graduation around the corner! College waiting for him... NOT NOW!
Okay, stay calm… maybe no one will find out. But what if a small clue was left behind. Is it worth the risk to go back and search?
Amber and Ross just pulled off a huge bank robbery, and running hard from the law and family!
They’re unstoppable. No one can catch them as they drive off happily into the sunset.
Yes, we know better by now! No one gets away that easily. And trouble may be right around the next corner.
How far would you go to protect someone you love?
There was a great deal of this book I enjoyed, and then parts that just left me somewhat frustrated.
The writing is easy and flows quickly. I was fond of all the characters, though not all their choices.
I felt this was an all-around good read. On the lighter side of the thriller/suspense spectrum.
But, my believability police were earning their overtime. I struggled a bit believing the steps these characters would take. Just seemed a bit over the top!
Overall, I would say the positive outweighed the negative! And I ended up enjoying this thrill ride! Hope you will too!
A buddy read with Susanne!☃️
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley Publishing for a galley copy to read and review.
December 16, 2018
3.75 Stars* (rounded up)
Hold onto your Hats, this is One Crazy Ride!
One night, something goes horribly wrong. Joshua, is consumed with guilt. Worse yet, one look at his car and his clothes and his mistakes are evident. Even at Eighteen, he knows enough to realize that he has to cover his tracks. Hide the clothes, wash the car. Pretend like nothing ever happened. Of course he wasn’t alone, someone else was with him and that person convinces him that they need to cover it up.
The problem of course is that it gets worse. Somehow it always does, doesn’t it? It just spirals out of control... Joshua, realizing that he lost a glove, goes back to find it. Karen, his mom, gets worried and tracks him to his location. Bad decision. Two Bank robbers, Ross and Amber are on the run. They have a backpack containing $40k of stolen cash. They also have a gun. A fight ensues. Someone gets hurt and then all h&ll breaks loose.
From then on it’s completely cray cray and the believability factor gets stretched a little too far. Things go from wild to freaking nuts - I can’t even. All I can say is that you’d have to read it to believe it.. and even then I’m not sure you’d believe it. What Tom Hunt does here is so insane you can’t tear your eyes away. I read it in two sittings - it’s a wicked fast book that readers will enjoy simply because it is that crazy.
This was another buddy read with Kaceey! Thanks for keeping me company on this wild read!
Thanks to Elisha at Berkley Publishing Group and to Tom Hunt for this arc.
Published on Goodreads on 12.16.18.
Will be published on Amazon and Twitter on release date of 1/22/19.
Excerpt to be published on Instagram.
Hold onto your Hats, this is One Crazy Ride!
One night, something goes horribly wrong. Joshua, is consumed with guilt. Worse yet, one look at his car and his clothes and his mistakes are evident. Even at Eighteen, he knows enough to realize that he has to cover his tracks. Hide the clothes, wash the car. Pretend like nothing ever happened. Of course he wasn’t alone, someone else was with him and that person convinces him that they need to cover it up.
The problem of course is that it gets worse. Somehow it always does, doesn’t it? It just spirals out of control... Joshua, realizing that he lost a glove, goes back to find it. Karen, his mom, gets worried and tracks him to his location. Bad decision. Two Bank robbers, Ross and Amber are on the run. They have a backpack containing $40k of stolen cash. They also have a gun. A fight ensues. Someone gets hurt and then all h&ll breaks loose.
From then on it’s completely cray cray and the believability factor gets stretched a little too far. Things go from wild to freaking nuts - I can’t even. All I can say is that you’d have to read it to believe it.. and even then I’m not sure you’d believe it. What Tom Hunt does here is so insane you can’t tear your eyes away. I read it in two sittings - it’s a wicked fast book that readers will enjoy simply because it is that crazy.
This was another buddy read with Kaceey! Thanks for keeping me company on this wild read!
Thanks to Elisha at Berkley Publishing Group and to Tom Hunt for this arc.
Published on Goodreads on 12.16.18.
Will be published on Amazon and Twitter on release date of 1/22/19.
Excerpt to be published on Instagram.
January 23, 2019
An addictive fast paced read that will keep you glued to those pages!
How far would you go to protect your child? A tragic accident... a fatal mistake... a lie... a cover up... A BIG hot mess!
This book was packed full of nonstop action from first page to last... josh was involved in a tragic accident that led to the death of a man... in the process of covering it up Josh and his mom Karen run into Ross and Amber... Ross and Amber have just robbed a bank and are on the run... after Josh and Karen’s lives clash with Ross and Amber things go sideways, in a big way! Not going to go into the plot more, just know it is one wild and crazy ride....
This was such an entertaining read, but it also gave you some food for thought... Karen was a wonderful character and a definite loving mother, but... did she do the right thing? And in this situation is there a right thing? Would you help your child bury the body, literally or figuratively? I really have no idea what I would have done in Karen’s situation, and hopefully I will never need to know! Such a fun twisty story that definitely kept me engaged throughout! A book full of likable characters making some pretty bad decisions! It definitely showed you how one mistake, one lie, can lead to so much tragedy....
A nonstop thrilling thriller that will make your heart beat a little bit faster and make you need to catch your breath! Absolutely recommend!
🎵 Music running through my head! This song kept going through my head, because of Ross and Amber being on the run, and wanted dead or alive!
“It's all the same, only the names will change
Everyday, it seems we're wastin' away
Another place where the faces are so cold
I drive all night just to get back home
I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive”
Bon Jovi 1986
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py6U3...
*** thank you to Berkley for my copy of this book ***
How far would you go to protect your child? A tragic accident... a fatal mistake... a lie... a cover up... A BIG hot mess!
This book was packed full of nonstop action from first page to last... josh was involved in a tragic accident that led to the death of a man... in the process of covering it up Josh and his mom Karen run into Ross and Amber... Ross and Amber have just robbed a bank and are on the run... after Josh and Karen’s lives clash with Ross and Amber things go sideways, in a big way! Not going to go into the plot more, just know it is one wild and crazy ride....
This was such an entertaining read, but it also gave you some food for thought... Karen was a wonderful character and a definite loving mother, but... did she do the right thing? And in this situation is there a right thing? Would you help your child bury the body, literally or figuratively? I really have no idea what I would have done in Karen’s situation, and hopefully I will never need to know! Such a fun twisty story that definitely kept me engaged throughout! A book full of likable characters making some pretty bad decisions! It definitely showed you how one mistake, one lie, can lead to so much tragedy....
A nonstop thrilling thriller that will make your heart beat a little bit faster and make you need to catch your breath! Absolutely recommend!
🎵 Music running through my head! This song kept going through my head, because of Ross and Amber being on the run, and wanted dead or alive!
“It's all the same, only the names will change
Everyday, it seems we're wastin' away
Another place where the faces are so cold
I drive all night just to get back home
I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive”
Bon Jovi 1986
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py6U3...
*** thank you to Berkley for my copy of this book ***
December 18, 2018
3.5 stars.
There's something to be said about a thriller where you can predict pretty much everything that will happen, yet you can't tear yourself away from it. That was the case with Tom Hunt's One Fatal Mistake . Its pacing left my heart pounding, and even though I had my suspicions about how the plot would unfold, I needed to know where Hunt would surprise me.
Joshua Mayo is 18 years old, a talented golfer with his whole future ahead of him. In just a few months he's heading off to college, where he hopes to study landscape architecture and eventually design golf courses. But one night, everything changes. He accidentally kills a man in the middle of a deserted nature preserve, and fearful of having to go to jail for his bad luck, he decides not to report the crime to the police, and hopes that the body might never be found.
Moving on with his life, however, isn't as easy he imagined it would be. Joshua is wracked with guilt, not to mention fear that somehow he slipped up, and his crime will be discovered. His mother Karen knows something is wrong with Joshua but he won't tell her anything. But when he disappears late one night, she knows she needs to follow him to see how she can help, or even protect, him. That split-second decision sets them on a collision course with disaster, and it could put everything they hold dear at risk.
How far would you go to protect your child? Is there anything you wouldn't do? Karen knows she'd lay down her life for her son. She may have to, unless she can think of a way to get them out of the dangerous trouble they've found themselves in.
There's rarely a slow moment in One Fatal Mistake . I'm being fairly vague in terms of plot description because it definitely helps to let things unfurl little by little. I definitely wanted to shake the characters from time to time for all of the stupid decisions they were making, but who's to say that people in those situations might not act that way in real life?
Of course, as with most thrillers, you need to suspend a little disbelief. But like I said, this is a book that hooked me from start to finish—I read most of it in a few hours—and I like the way Hunt fed the plot to you, little by little. I wish I was surprised a little more, but this was still a roller coaster ride of a book.
NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
There's something to be said about a thriller where you can predict pretty much everything that will happen, yet you can't tear yourself away from it. That was the case with Tom Hunt's One Fatal Mistake . Its pacing left my heart pounding, and even though I had my suspicions about how the plot would unfold, I needed to know where Hunt would surprise me.
Joshua Mayo is 18 years old, a talented golfer with his whole future ahead of him. In just a few months he's heading off to college, where he hopes to study landscape architecture and eventually design golf courses. But one night, everything changes. He accidentally kills a man in the middle of a deserted nature preserve, and fearful of having to go to jail for his bad luck, he decides not to report the crime to the police, and hopes that the body might never be found.
Moving on with his life, however, isn't as easy he imagined it would be. Joshua is wracked with guilt, not to mention fear that somehow he slipped up, and his crime will be discovered. His mother Karen knows something is wrong with Joshua but he won't tell her anything. But when he disappears late one night, she knows she needs to follow him to see how she can help, or even protect, him. That split-second decision sets them on a collision course with disaster, and it could put everything they hold dear at risk.
How far would you go to protect your child? Is there anything you wouldn't do? Karen knows she'd lay down her life for her son. She may have to, unless she can think of a way to get them out of the dangerous trouble they've found themselves in.
There's rarely a slow moment in One Fatal Mistake . I'm being fairly vague in terms of plot description because it definitely helps to let things unfurl little by little. I definitely wanted to shake the characters from time to time for all of the stupid decisions they were making, but who's to say that people in those situations might not act that way in real life?
Of course, as with most thrillers, you need to suspend a little disbelief. But like I said, this is a book that hooked me from start to finish—I read most of it in a few hours—and I like the way Hunt fed the plot to you, little by little. I wish I was surprised a little more, but this was still a roller coaster ride of a book.
NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
January 23, 2019
This was so much fun! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Wow, what a doozy, and so much stinkin’ fun! Buckle up for this one, friends!
Joshua is 18 years old when he accidentally kills a man…He leaves the scene and never calls the police. He tells his secret to is his first and best confidante, his mother, Karen.
Josh is on the cusp of going on to college. Karen is proud of his achievements, only to see them crushed by this horrific mistake. She feels forced to protect her son, and thus begins the chain of deceit that the pair will never break… or will they?
The tiniest of clues is left at the scene. What will Karen and Joshua do to bury the truth? The lie becomes bigger and bigger until it becomes massive, and I was left hanging for most of the book wondering when it would all crash wide open.
I’ve used this term recently for another book, and I think it applies to One Fatal Mistake, too: trainwreck. This book was absolutely a trainwreck where you can’t turn your eyes away, and even as things got more dramatic and over-the-top, I never lost my investment. I had to know if Karen and Josh would get away with it. And I never forgot the victim.
Overall, I found this an unexpected thriller with perfectly paced flow (how I like my thrillers!), filled with mayhem, and a highly entertaining read overall. Well-done, Tom Hunt!
Thanks to Berkley for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Wow, what a doozy, and so much stinkin’ fun! Buckle up for this one, friends!
Joshua is 18 years old when he accidentally kills a man…He leaves the scene and never calls the police. He tells his secret to is his first and best confidante, his mother, Karen.
Josh is on the cusp of going on to college. Karen is proud of his achievements, only to see them crushed by this horrific mistake. She feels forced to protect her son, and thus begins the chain of deceit that the pair will never break… or will they?
The tiniest of clues is left at the scene. What will Karen and Joshua do to bury the truth? The lie becomes bigger and bigger until it becomes massive, and I was left hanging for most of the book wondering when it would all crash wide open.
I’ve used this term recently for another book, and I think it applies to One Fatal Mistake, too: trainwreck. This book was absolutely a trainwreck where you can’t turn your eyes away, and even as things got more dramatic and over-the-top, I never lost my investment. I had to know if Karen and Josh would get away with it. And I never forgot the victim.
Overall, I found this an unexpected thriller with perfectly paced flow (how I like my thrillers!), filled with mayhem, and a highly entertaining read overall. Well-done, Tom Hunt!
Thanks to Berkley for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
October 19, 2018
This was a pretty quick read for me because I was definitely interested in seeing how everything was going to turn out. However, the book tested my patience with some of the poor decisions made by the characters throughout the story.
Joshua Mayo is a senior in high school when he is involved in taking a man's life in a horrible accident. He tries to cover up the incident but he can't keep this secret for long from his mother, Karen. What follows next is a story about the lengths a mother will go to in order to protect her son.
When I read these type of stories it always makes me wonder just what exactly I would be willing to do for someone I love. And I think the main appeal of the book is this natural curiosity in seeing how people will react in certain situations. I did struggle with the actions of characters but I had to remind myself the news is full of people who make bad choices on a daily basis. But yes, more than once I wanted to yell at a character "why would you do that?".
This is the type of book that has flaws but I still felt caught up in the story. And to me that is worth something. A book doesn't always have to be perfect for it to be a fun read.
I received a free advance copy of this book from Berkley but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
Joshua Mayo is a senior in high school when he is involved in taking a man's life in a horrible accident. He tries to cover up the incident but he can't keep this secret for long from his mother, Karen. What follows next is a story about the lengths a mother will go to in order to protect her son.
When I read these type of stories it always makes me wonder just what exactly I would be willing to do for someone I love. And I think the main appeal of the book is this natural curiosity in seeing how people will react in certain situations. I did struggle with the actions of characters but I had to remind myself the news is full of people who make bad choices on a daily basis. But yes, more than once I wanted to yell at a character "why would you do that?".
This is the type of book that has flaws but I still felt caught up in the story. And to me that is worth something. A book doesn't always have to be perfect for it to be a fun read.
I received a free advance copy of this book from Berkley but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
January 18, 2019
A high octane wild ride that was loads of fun!
Singing "On the road again....can't wait to....
Did it matter that it was kinda far-fetched? NO -This was one fun mom to the rescue , action packed adventure with lots of what just happened detours.
I wasn't expecting this to be such a frantic paced page-turner so I was pleasantly surprised at how much it held my attention. I loved the mom character, Karen. She was willing to do anything for her son, Joshua. And you won't believe how far she goes. I really started to care about her and Josh and was rooting for them all the way! Go team Karen!
I love an entertaining tale of a bungled crime and despite the unlikelihood of all these things that transpired, I still Loved it!
For fans of fun, entertaining reads that are part action, part thriller, with some hilarious tidbits of a crime gone wrong. 4 Binge worthy STARS
Thanks to the NG and Pub. for my review copy. Blog review closer to PD. Out on February 5,2019
P.S. I purchased Tom Hunt's debut novel, Killer Choice so I get have some more fun.
Singing "On the road again....can't wait to....
Did it matter that it was kinda far-fetched? NO -This was one fun mom to the rescue , action packed adventure with lots of what just happened detours.
I wasn't expecting this to be such a frantic paced page-turner so I was pleasantly surprised at how much it held my attention. I loved the mom character, Karen. She was willing to do anything for her son, Joshua. And you won't believe how far she goes. I really started to care about her and Josh and was rooting for them all the way! Go team Karen!
I love an entertaining tale of a bungled crime and despite the unlikelihood of all these things that transpired, I still Loved it!
For fans of fun, entertaining reads that are part action, part thriller, with some hilarious tidbits of a crime gone wrong. 4 Binge worthy STARS
Thanks to the NG and Pub. for my review copy. Blog review closer to PD. Out on February 5,2019
P.S. I purchased Tom Hunt's debut novel, Killer Choice so I get have some more fun.
February 19, 2019
3.75 Stars → One fatal mistake sets off a crazy and chaotic chain of events for 18-year-old Joshua Mayo and his mother, Karen. When Karen learns that Joshua has accidentally killed a man and fled the scene, she's faced with a dilemma — help him cover it up, or risk him going to prison and ruining his future. Little do they know, that one mistake is just the tip of the iceberg.
ONE FATAL MISTAKE is a super-fast paced and unique thriller. It's part crime drama and part family drama with lots of tension. While the characters felt real and their predicaments made me anxious, some of their actions were so frustrating. I suppose if you're caught up in extreme situations trying to save your child, you may not make the best decisions.
Overall, this was an entertaining read I'd recommend to fans of suspenseful survival stories. Not really a mystery, but definitely a thrill ride. (I also enjoyed the Midwestern setting — Cedar Rapids!)
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
𝓓𝓲𝓪𝓷𝓪 | Instagram | Pinterest | ✿
ONE FATAL MISTAKE is a super-fast paced and unique thriller. It's part crime drama and part family drama with lots of tension. While the characters felt real and their predicaments made me anxious, some of their actions were so frustrating. I suppose if you're caught up in extreme situations trying to save your child, you may not make the best decisions.
Overall, this was an entertaining read I'd recommend to fans of suspenseful survival stories. Not really a mystery, but definitely a thrill ride. (I also enjoyed the Midwestern setting — Cedar Rapids!)
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
𝓓𝓲𝓪𝓷𝓪 | Instagram | Pinterest | ✿
December 2, 2018
First I'd like to thank Tom Hunt & Penguin Random House for providing me with a free copy.
Joshua takes a man's life in a horrible accident and leaves the scene without reporting it. Later his mother Karen finds out and tries to help him cover it up.
And then ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE!
One Fatal Mistake is the most twist filled book I've ever read. At times it felt like every 10 pages the plot would change. While some of these twists stretched my ability to believe. I can't deny it was very entertaining. The last 100 pages had me on the edge of my seat. I never knew where this story was going to take me. Even the ending was different than I imagined.
I suggest going into this book blind. The less you know about the complete plot the better. I'd never heard of Tom Hunt before this book but if all his books are going to be this twisty, then I'm going to be his #1 fan.
Joshua takes a man's life in a horrible accident and leaves the scene without reporting it. Later his mother Karen finds out and tries to help him cover it up.
And then ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE!
One Fatal Mistake is the most twist filled book I've ever read. At times it felt like every 10 pages the plot would change. While some of these twists stretched my ability to believe. I can't deny it was very entertaining. The last 100 pages had me on the edge of my seat. I never knew where this story was going to take me. Even the ending was different than I imagined.
I suggest going into this book blind. The less you know about the complete plot the better. I'd never heard of Tom Hunt before this book but if all his books are going to be this twisty, then I'm going to be his #1 fan.
February 11, 2019
Life is good, then a horrible accident, a cover-up, a dark confession, and a protective mother. Are you intrigued yet? There is more!!
Once I started reading One Fatal Mistake I couldn’t put down and I soon made my way to a quiet place where I could hide from any distraction or family who might want something. I grabbed my favorite beverage and locked myself in my room. I only needed a few hours to whip through this short fast-paced, action-packed entertaining and exciting read.
The thing about this story is it’s a bit predictable however it’s what really works here. Tom Hunt had a way of grabbing me from the first page and I was taken on a heart-pounding nail-biting ride where I didn’t even have time to think about which way it’s was going to twist and turn until I reach the end. I was left thinking wow that was fun and exciting. It reminded of the days when I didn’t need dark and twisted just good storytelling with some characters to root for and villains to dislike to entertain me.
I highly recommend setting some time aside and hoping on this ride and go for the fun of it.
One Fatal Mistake by Tom Hunt is now available!
Thank you so much to Elisha at Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read an advance reading copy of this novel.
Once I started reading One Fatal Mistake I couldn’t put down and I soon made my way to a quiet place where I could hide from any distraction or family who might want something. I grabbed my favorite beverage and locked myself in my room. I only needed a few hours to whip through this short fast-paced, action-packed entertaining and exciting read.
The thing about this story is it’s a bit predictable however it’s what really works here. Tom Hunt had a way of grabbing me from the first page and I was taken on a heart-pounding nail-biting ride where I didn’t even have time to think about which way it’s was going to twist and turn until I reach the end. I was left thinking wow that was fun and exciting. It reminded of the days when I didn’t need dark and twisted just good storytelling with some characters to root for and villains to dislike to entertain me.
I highly recommend setting some time aside and hoping on this ride and go for the fun of it.
One Fatal Mistake by Tom Hunt is now available!
Thank you so much to Elisha at Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read an advance reading copy of this novel.
April 14, 2019
This is one hold-onto-your-seat, heart-pounding book! What started out as a steady-paced domestic suspense novel about a secret kept took a turn and didn’t let up for the entire rest of the book! I can barely put into words how fun this roller coaster of a story is! Tom Hunt’s One Fatal Mistake is sure to be a best-seller.
The book opens with divorced-mother Karen certain that something is off with her son Joshua. She knows he recently broke up with his girlfriend, but this seems like something more than that. And of course, we learn that it is. Joshua is involved in an accident late one night and a man loses his life. Joshua fled without reporting the incident, but he feels regret, shame, and fear over what he has done.
Karen is such a fantastic character and mother. She is truly a good person, but Karen also knows that ethical decisions aren’t so easy to make. In fact, early in the novel we learn about a choice Karen made that wasn’t so easy just a few months previously. When she follows Joshua late one night and learns what he did, she makes another choice that isn’t so straight-forward to make. And from there, she and Joshua must suffer the fallout of their choices…
I want to be cautious here and avoid talking about a few major elements of this book, because I think they’d be considered spoiler-y. What I am comfortable saying is that this book is filled with morality and immorality. A series of choices that seem right at the time, can often lead someone so far down a path, that there really is no way to turn back. And that is what I’ll say about this book. Karen and Joshua make choice after choice that lead them further from safety and honesty.
The brilliance, though, is that all of those choices are kind of understandable. As a reader, I empathized with their decisions, even if it felt like the wrong ones at the time. I find the pace of this novel to be incredibly fast, but still rich with inner monologue. This is a book fueled by action and plot, rather than characters. It is a wild read and one I think readers are going to have a ton of fun with!
The ending to me was really well-executed. I didn’t necessarily expect the conclusion we got, but at the same time it totally seemed fitting. There was a rawness to this book that started page one and carried through to the very last scene. I definitely will read more from Tom Hunt, and I can’t wait to hear what readers think of One Fatal Mistake!
Thank you to Berkley for my copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
The book opens with divorced-mother Karen certain that something is off with her son Joshua. She knows he recently broke up with his girlfriend, but this seems like something more than that. And of course, we learn that it is. Joshua is involved in an accident late one night and a man loses his life. Joshua fled without reporting the incident, but he feels regret, shame, and fear over what he has done.
Karen is such a fantastic character and mother. She is truly a good person, but Karen also knows that ethical decisions aren’t so easy to make. In fact, early in the novel we learn about a choice Karen made that wasn’t so easy just a few months previously. When she follows Joshua late one night and learns what he did, she makes another choice that isn’t so straight-forward to make. And from there, she and Joshua must suffer the fallout of their choices…
I want to be cautious here and avoid talking about a few major elements of this book, because I think they’d be considered spoiler-y. What I am comfortable saying is that this book is filled with morality and immorality. A series of choices that seem right at the time, can often lead someone so far down a path, that there really is no way to turn back. And that is what I’ll say about this book. Karen and Joshua make choice after choice that lead them further from safety and honesty.
The brilliance, though, is that all of those choices are kind of understandable. As a reader, I empathized with their decisions, even if it felt like the wrong ones at the time. I find the pace of this novel to be incredibly fast, but still rich with inner monologue. This is a book fueled by action and plot, rather than characters. It is a wild read and one I think readers are going to have a ton of fun with!
The ending to me was really well-executed. I didn’t necessarily expect the conclusion we got, but at the same time it totally seemed fitting. There was a rawness to this book that started page one and carried through to the very last scene. I definitely will read more from Tom Hunt, and I can’t wait to hear what readers think of One Fatal Mistake!
Thank you to Berkley for my copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
February 12, 2019
Joshua Mayo is driving at night and accidentally kills a pedestrian. With no witnesses, he makes the impulsive decision not to call the police. He is eighteen with a bright future and fears that this incident could derail his acceptance into Clemson. A few days later, he gets worried and returns to the scene of the accident to search for any evidence. Events begin to unfold that force Joshua to confess his plight to his mother Karen.
Ross is a drug addict with a volatile personality and is married to Amber who hopes a change in fortune can rekindle their marriage. Together they are on the run after robbing a bank. They have left everything behind except the stolen money and a gun. They are on foot and decide to steal a car which brings them in contact with Joshua and Karen who are forced to help the unstable couple.
“One Fatal Mistake” is Tom Hunt’s second novel. I found this book entertaining and action-packed. The twisty events and creepy characters will motivate you to quickly finish the story.
Ross is a drug addict with a volatile personality and is married to Amber who hopes a change in fortune can rekindle their marriage. Together they are on the run after robbing a bank. They have left everything behind except the stolen money and a gun. They are on foot and decide to steal a car which brings them in contact with Joshua and Karen who are forced to help the unstable couple.
“One Fatal Mistake” is Tom Hunt’s second novel. I found this book entertaining and action-packed. The twisty events and creepy characters will motivate you to quickly finish the story.
January 22, 2019
Phew hold on to those hats of yours folks! This was a crazy and intense ride!!
This was a tad bit unbelievable but it was still a super fun read! This purely was fun and boy did I love Karen. She would do anything in her power to protect her son Joshua... and oh MY you wouldn't believe the lengths she goes to for him! Joshua and Karen made a fantastic team!
Despite the unbelievability factor... it still was fun and engaging. I had fun going on this ride with Karen and her son ;).
I would categorize this as thriller with a whole lot of crime in here haha. It definitely will not leave you with wanting more action ;).
3.75 stars rounded up to 4! :)
Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Published to Goodreads: 1/20/19
Publication date: 2/5/19
This was a tad bit unbelievable but it was still a super fun read! This purely was fun and boy did I love Karen. She would do anything in her power to protect her son Joshua... and oh MY you wouldn't believe the lengths she goes to for him! Joshua and Karen made a fantastic team!
Despite the unbelievability factor... it still was fun and engaging. I had fun going on this ride with Karen and her son ;).
I would categorize this as thriller with a whole lot of crime in here haha. It definitely will not leave you with wanting more action ;).
3.75 stars rounded up to 4! :)
Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Published to Goodreads: 1/20/19
Publication date: 2/5/19
October 31, 2018
3.5, rounded up to 4 since this is my first read by Tom Hunt.
This book frustrated me, it enraged me, it excited me, and it left me in an unstable set of emotions. I don't think I've loved/hated a book this much before in my life. One Fatal Mistake will get readers talking, that's for sure! I'll get back to this point later on, but let's start- shall we?
Joshua Mayo returns home with a dented car, blood soaked clothing, and a secret—he and an accomplice killed a man by accident. Joshua and his accomplice chose to cover up this accident so they can prevent jail time. Joshua just got accepted at his choice college for landscape architecture—his dream career since he was a child—he doesn't need a criminal record destroying his future.
Joshua's mother, Karen is a nurse at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A single mother, Karen is working as many shifts as possible to provide Joshua the best life, and future, he could have. While she maintains a cordial relationship with her son's father, Karen has effectively raised Joshua herself since he was born.
Feeling guilty about the cover up, Joshua returns to the scene of the crime, unbeknownst to him, Karen follows his lead. Once she finds out what situation is playing out for her son, Karen decides that she needs to help him with this cover up to protect him. However, these things can only stay hidden for so long without anyone finding out—especially if someone is out there watching.
I feel like that was the best Dennis Synopsis Interpretation that I've ever written,
but I have a lot to talk about with One Fatal Mistake . I didn't get a chance to read Tom Hunt's Killer Choice, but I've heard nothing but good things about it, so I was excited to pick up this latest thriller by him. None of the characters in this book are particularly likable, but all of them can be relatable in some capacity. The flaws and imperfections of Karen, Joshua, (and some secondary characters that I choose not to mention in fear of providing spoilers) can be understood with sympathy and curiosity.
Tom Hunt's One Fatal Mistake has a picture of a car on the cover, and yes it's because it involves vehicular manslaughter, but also because it will take you on one wild, crazy journey. The beginning is very dark, creepy, and intriguing—the middle of the book takes some insane twists and turns; some I agree with, and some frustrated me to my core—and lastly, the ending is provoking, and surprisingly original.
Thank you Berkley Publishing for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. One Fatal Mistake will be released January 22, 2019.
This book frustrated me, it enraged me, it excited me, and it left me in an unstable set of emotions. I don't think I've loved/hated a book this much before in my life. One Fatal Mistake will get readers talking, that's for sure! I'll get back to this point later on, but let's start- shall we?
Joshua Mayo returns home with a dented car, blood soaked clothing, and a secret—he and an accomplice killed a man by accident. Joshua and his accomplice chose to cover up this accident so they can prevent jail time. Joshua just got accepted at his choice college for landscape architecture—his dream career since he was a child—he doesn't need a criminal record destroying his future.
Joshua's mother, Karen is a nurse at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A single mother, Karen is working as many shifts as possible to provide Joshua the best life, and future, he could have. While she maintains a cordial relationship with her son's father, Karen has effectively raised Joshua herself since he was born.
Feeling guilty about the cover up, Joshua returns to the scene of the crime, unbeknownst to him, Karen follows his lead. Once she finds out what situation is playing out for her son, Karen decides that she needs to help him with this cover up to protect him. However, these things can only stay hidden for so long without anyone finding out—especially if someone is out there watching.
I feel like that was the best Dennis Synopsis Interpretation that I've ever written,
but I have a lot to talk about with One Fatal Mistake . I didn't get a chance to read Tom Hunt's Killer Choice, but I've heard nothing but good things about it, so I was excited to pick up this latest thriller by him. None of the characters in this book are particularly likable, but all of them can be relatable in some capacity. The flaws and imperfections of Karen, Joshua, (and some secondary characters that I choose not to mention in fear of providing spoilers) can be understood with sympathy and curiosity.
Tom Hunt's One Fatal Mistake has a picture of a car on the cover, and yes it's because it involves vehicular manslaughter, but also because it will take you on one wild, crazy journey. The beginning is very dark, creepy, and intriguing—the middle of the book takes some insane twists and turns; some I agree with, and some frustrated me to my core—and lastly, the ending is provoking, and surprisingly original.
Thank you Berkley Publishing for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. One Fatal Mistake will be released January 22, 2019.
November 20, 2018
This is a true thriller, once I started it I could not put it down.
The main character is Josh, who by everyone's standard is the all American teenager who is finishing out his senior year of high school and looking forward to getting accepted into the university of his dreams. He's being raised by his single mother, Karen who's life pretty much revolves around him.
Josh is involved in a terrible accident and does the unthinkable act of leaving the scene of the crime. He's thinking he can just get forget about this incident and it will go away.
But, that is so far from what happens it's eating him up inside, he's overthinking things and finds himself back at the scene to make sure that there is nothing that can tie him to this crime. Karen who is already worried by his behavior tracks Josh back to the scene and they find more than they bargained for.
This is when things get really crazy. I loved the fast-paced, split-second decision making parts on Karen's and Teddy's part to save their son. They are both put in some deadly positions to make sure that their son is safe from some brutal, sadist people.
If you like suspenseful and an edge of the seat read this is one for you.
Disclosure: I would like to thank FirsttoRead and the publisher for providing me with an e-galley of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The main character is Josh, who by everyone's standard is the all American teenager who is finishing out his senior year of high school and looking forward to getting accepted into the university of his dreams. He's being raised by his single mother, Karen who's life pretty much revolves around him.
Josh is involved in a terrible accident and does the unthinkable act of leaving the scene of the crime. He's thinking he can just get forget about this incident and it will go away.
But, that is so far from what happens it's eating him up inside, he's overthinking things and finds himself back at the scene to make sure that there is nothing that can tie him to this crime. Karen who is already worried by his behavior tracks Josh back to the scene and they find more than they bargained for.
This is when things get really crazy. I loved the fast-paced, split-second decision making parts on Karen's and Teddy's part to save their son. They are both put in some deadly positions to make sure that their son is safe from some brutal, sadist people.
If you like suspenseful and an edge of the seat read this is one for you.
Disclosure: I would like to thank FirsttoRead and the publisher for providing me with an e-galley of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 9, 2018
Wow! Crazy story. The ending was a bit of a downer after all of that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometimes you have to be in the right frame of mind to read a particular style of book. When I read the first few chapters of this it took me a bit by surprise and I had to stop reading for a few days. I wanted to be fully in the moment, with my head clear before I moved on.
Once I was able to carve out reading time in bulk I dived into the story. It was definitely not what I was expecting but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
This book is a true crime spree that perfectly showcases how one bad mistake can snowball and completely make a mess of your life.
I have to be up front and say that this book is loaded with gruesome detail, violence, and bad decisions all around. But yet it’s completely addicting, once you get into the story.
One Fatal Mistake is a heart pounding, pulse racing, non-stop action story that leaves you shaking your head at the end. In fact, the ending was almost a bit deflating because there was so much to wrap your head around throughout the rest of the story.
Hunt delivers a fast paced story loaded with realistic, in-depth imagery and plenty of twists to keep you on your toes. A completely engaging read that will capture your attention and definitely remain in your mind long after you finish the story.
* copy received for review
full review - https://amidlifewife.com/one-fatal-mi...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometimes you have to be in the right frame of mind to read a particular style of book. When I read the first few chapters of this it took me a bit by surprise and I had to stop reading for a few days. I wanted to be fully in the moment, with my head clear before I moved on.
Once I was able to carve out reading time in bulk I dived into the story. It was definitely not what I was expecting but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
This book is a true crime spree that perfectly showcases how one bad mistake can snowball and completely make a mess of your life.
I have to be up front and say that this book is loaded with gruesome detail, violence, and bad decisions all around. But yet it’s completely addicting, once you get into the story.
One Fatal Mistake is a heart pounding, pulse racing, non-stop action story that leaves you shaking your head at the end. In fact, the ending was almost a bit deflating because there was so much to wrap your head around throughout the rest of the story.
Hunt delivers a fast paced story loaded with realistic, in-depth imagery and plenty of twists to keep you on your toes. A completely engaging read that will capture your attention and definitely remain in your mind long after you finish the story.
* copy received for review
full review - https://amidlifewife.com/one-fatal-mi...
November 11, 2018
This book was not what I was expecting, and I mean that in a good way. I feared that it was going to be one of those hand-wringers in which the parents are filled with angst over their child's problem, leading to fraught family relationships. However, this book turned out to be a fast moving thriller, with unexpected twists, that I finished in a day.
The book begins with 18 year old Joshua Mayo trying to dispose of bloody evidence linking him to a hit and run fatality. It appears that he was not alone at the scene of the crime, because he keeps getting texts from an unnamed accomplice. Joshua's mother Karen is an intensive care nurse who has no idea that her son was involved in an accident. Her nursing training becomes relevant later on. In chapter two we are introduced to a trio of inexperienced, undisciplined and pill-popping bank robbers. Once these two groups of people come into contact, mayhem ensues. There's no way I was going to stop reading until I found out what happened. The pacing was crisp, the characters were relatable and the plot, including the ending, was plausible.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
The book begins with 18 year old Joshua Mayo trying to dispose of bloody evidence linking him to a hit and run fatality. It appears that he was not alone at the scene of the crime, because he keeps getting texts from an unnamed accomplice. Joshua's mother Karen is an intensive care nurse who has no idea that her son was involved in an accident. Her nursing training becomes relevant later on. In chapter two we are introduced to a trio of inexperienced, undisciplined and pill-popping bank robbers. Once these two groups of people come into contact, mayhem ensues. There's no way I was going to stop reading until I found out what happened. The pacing was crisp, the characters were relatable and the plot, including the ending, was plausible.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
February 2, 2019
Joshua Mayo is a high school senior. 18 years old. Waiting for his acceptance letter to Clemson. He has his whole life ahead of him. Until a hit and run accident. Until he kills a man. Until he runs from the scene of the accident. Until his parents cover it up. Until......
One Fatal Mistake.
Wow...this book is one crazy ride! Vehicular homicide...then a cover up....and add in bank robbers on the run. Geez....the action and suspense never stopped. I loved the story line....it kept me reading. Total binge read. But....the characters....oh my....I hated them all. The Mayo family doesn't see anything wrong with covering up the death of an innocent person. Lie after lie after lie....because their kid's future is worth more than someone else's life, right? Major S-heads. And the bank robbers....well they are are completely screwed up too. And the universe is just F'd up enough to make them all meet in the middle. It makes for an awesome thriller....with the little voice in my head commenting about how horrid every single person in the story is. Every. Single. Person. Completely horrid. But insanely perfect for this story.
I love my kids. I would do just about anything for my kids. But.....I would NOT cover up a murder, hide bodies or lie to the police for my kids. Or anybody. No, no, no, no....and after that....NO. But....I will totally binge read an entire book in one afternoon that is about parents who will do just that....and more. Great story....twisted and traumatizing....but a great story. Any book that makes me totally binge read for an entire afternoon deserves full stars from me!
Well-written. Suspenseful. Twisted. Loved it! This book kept my attention from beginning to end. I'm definitely going to read more by this author. Tom Hunt has written one other book -- Killer Choice -- about a man so desperate for money to help his ill wife that he's willing to commit murder-for-hire to get it. Oh my.....another story with completely F'd up characters. I have to read it!!!!! So twisted! Book insta-added to my TBR list!
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Berkley via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
One Fatal Mistake.
Wow...this book is one crazy ride! Vehicular homicide...then a cover up....and add in bank robbers on the run. Geez....the action and suspense never stopped. I loved the story line....it kept me reading. Total binge read. But....the characters....oh my....I hated them all. The Mayo family doesn't see anything wrong with covering up the death of an innocent person. Lie after lie after lie....because their kid's future is worth more than someone else's life, right? Major S-heads. And the bank robbers....well they are are completely screwed up too. And the universe is just F'd up enough to make them all meet in the middle. It makes for an awesome thriller....with the little voice in my head commenting about how horrid every single person in the story is. Every. Single. Person. Completely horrid. But insanely perfect for this story.
I love my kids. I would do just about anything for my kids. But.....I would NOT cover up a murder, hide bodies or lie to the police for my kids. Or anybody. No, no, no, no....and after that....NO. But....I will totally binge read an entire book in one afternoon that is about parents who will do just that....and more. Great story....twisted and traumatizing....but a great story. Any book that makes me totally binge read for an entire afternoon deserves full stars from me!
Well-written. Suspenseful. Twisted. Loved it! This book kept my attention from beginning to end. I'm definitely going to read more by this author. Tom Hunt has written one other book -- Killer Choice -- about a man so desperate for money to help his ill wife that he's willing to commit murder-for-hire to get it. Oh my.....another story with completely F'd up characters. I have to read it!!!!! So twisted! Book insta-added to my TBR list!
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Berkley via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
February 18, 2021
HUNTING for fast-paced thrillers with many twists/turns?
If so, author TOM HUNT has two books for you. I just finished listening to Tom Hunt's "ONE FATAL MISTAKE" and "KILLER CHOICE" and both books were impossible-to-put-down.
"ONE FATAL MISTAKE" gives new meaning to "I just had a bad day". The protagonist Karen's teen son accidentally kills a man after injuring this man in a hit-and-run accident. When Karen's son returns home from the accident, he realizes that he left one of his gloves at the scene. When he goes back to the accident scene to retrieve his glove, he meets up with two escaped bank robbers and a horrific experience instantly becomes even more horrific. When Karen's son does not return home, she tracks him on his cell phone. When Karen's son does not answer her calls, she drives to his location and finds her son with the bank robbers. And now the bank robbers have Karen at their mercy, too.
Both 'ONE FATAL MISTAKE" and 'KILLER CHOICE" showcase protagonists with deep moral dilemmas. Both books focus on what happens when "bad" decisions are made by "good" people, due to extenuating circumstances beyond their control. Yes, some of the events/actions in both books had credibility issues and were not very plausible. But overall, both books were great reads.
I listened to the audio version of both books and both narrators did a superb job. Ray Porter's narration of KILLER CHOICE, however, was over-the-top and probably the reason why I liked KILLER CHOICE the best.
I look forward to listening to this author's future books.
If so, author TOM HUNT has two books for you. I just finished listening to Tom Hunt's "ONE FATAL MISTAKE" and "KILLER CHOICE" and both books were impossible-to-put-down.
"ONE FATAL MISTAKE" gives new meaning to "I just had a bad day". The protagonist Karen's teen son accidentally kills a man after injuring this man in a hit-and-run accident. When Karen's son returns home from the accident, he realizes that he left one of his gloves at the scene. When he goes back to the accident scene to retrieve his glove, he meets up with two escaped bank robbers and a horrific experience instantly becomes even more horrific. When Karen's son does not return home, she tracks him on his cell phone. When Karen's son does not answer her calls, she drives to his location and finds her son with the bank robbers. And now the bank robbers have Karen at their mercy, too.
Both 'ONE FATAL MISTAKE" and 'KILLER CHOICE" showcase protagonists with deep moral dilemmas. Both books focus on what happens when "bad" decisions are made by "good" people, due to extenuating circumstances beyond their control. Yes, some of the events/actions in both books had credibility issues and were not very plausible. But overall, both books were great reads.
I listened to the audio version of both books and both narrators did a superb job. Ray Porter's narration of KILLER CHOICE, however, was over-the-top and probably the reason why I liked KILLER CHOICE the best.
I look forward to listening to this author's future books.
November 5, 2018
One Fatal Mistake is a fast-paced action-packed crime thriller. In typical crime fiction fashion, one bad deed deserves another and before you know it the characters are all headed down that highway of no return. What could go wrong with a little bank robbery? What could go wrong with a little jaunt through the wilderness? Coverups and backstabbers and hostagetakers. Read this one for kicks.
May 25, 2019
This book was an action-packed thriller that grabbed me from the very first sentence and never let up. Very fast-paced, as the story unfolds over the course of just a few days. Some of it was a little far-fetched, but the plot was so riveting that I didn't really mind. Full of twists and turns, I kept turning the pages to see how it would all play out. A very entertaining and heart-pounding read!
November 22, 2018
One Fatal Mistake is an action thriller from author, Tom Hunt. The novel features dual storylines that are tragically intersected. The players are a teenager, his parents and a trio of bank robbers. Two seemingly unrelated situations are brought together with disastrous results.
Joshua is a high school senior living with his divorced mother, Karen. His father Teddy is still actively involved in Joshua’s life and figures prominently in the story. Joshua is involved in a tragic hit-and-run car accident. His parents attempt to cover for him, which may have been the wrong thing to do. Amber and Ross are a married couple, and Shane is Ross’ older brother. The trio decides to rob a bank, which doesn’t go as planned. Their plan is disrupted and they end up on the run. A series of plot twists joins the two groups, and chaos ensues.
The value of truth, the devastation of lies and betrayal, and the redeeming factor of love are all explored in this novel. The central issue becomes: how far would you go for a loved one?
I enjoyed One Fatal Mistake, but it has some flaws. The characters aren’t fully developed, and some of the plot is fairly predictable. However, there were some unexpected twists. The story held my interest from start to finish, but I didn’t like the lackluster ending. I still recommend reading this one and give it 3 out of 5 stars.
I was given the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book as part of Penguin's First to Read program. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.
Joshua is a high school senior living with his divorced mother, Karen. His father Teddy is still actively involved in Joshua’s life and figures prominently in the story. Joshua is involved in a tragic hit-and-run car accident. His parents attempt to cover for him, which may have been the wrong thing to do. Amber and Ross are a married couple, and Shane is Ross’ older brother. The trio decides to rob a bank, which doesn’t go as planned. Their plan is disrupted and they end up on the run. A series of plot twists joins the two groups, and chaos ensues.
The value of truth, the devastation of lies and betrayal, and the redeeming factor of love are all explored in this novel. The central issue becomes: how far would you go for a loved one?
I enjoyed One Fatal Mistake, but it has some flaws. The characters aren’t fully developed, and some of the plot is fairly predictable. However, there were some unexpected twists. The story held my interest from start to finish, but I didn’t like the lackluster ending. I still recommend reading this one and give it 3 out of 5 stars.
I was given the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book as part of Penguin's First to Read program. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.
March 11, 2019
What is the opposite of a slow burn type of book?? This entire story is 1 long adrenaline rush! Now i love psychological thrillers & suspense as much, or probably more then the next person, but it was fun to get back to a what-you-see-is-what-you-get, edge of your seat type thriller! Joshua makes an honest (imo) mistake & his parents do what they think is right.. Then karma comes in & kicks their a**! The relationship between mom & son was well done, very genuine so you didn't question this intelligent woman's choices... What would you do? But that is only the beginning... A separate cast of characters collides with our mom & son, a husband & wife running from their own problems.. Interesting how sometimes right & wrong is not so obvious (or maybe it is?) & how a devestatingly crappy situation may not look as bad when the REAL problems start... Also how a good guy may only be good when it's easy, or a bad guy only bad till he has something to fight for.. Each character was true to themselves, & i appreciate that nobody is bumbling. Perhaps certain aspects were farfetched but not at all to the extent that it took away from the story.. I held on tight & flew right through this 1!
February 27, 2020
3.5 stars --- Like everyone else is saying - one mistake , and then the cover up begins- I can't really add anything new to what all the others are saying - a quick, fun, fast read xxx
January 15, 2019
This is the second book I’ve read by Hunt and both were action packed, nail biting, high octane thrillers that moved at breakneck speed. I started this one night right before bed thinking I would read a few chapters just to get a feel for the book, umm WRONG! I read sixty percent before forcing myself to put it down and then immediately devoured the remaining forty percent the next day. It really was unputdownable although you do have to be willing to suspend a little disbelief.
This wastes absolutely no time and gets straight to the action, you meet Joshua a high school senior who accidentally kills a man after hitting him with his car and he flees, and then Amber, Ross and Shane who rob a bank. At first you’re wondering how these two separate storylines have anything to do with each other but thanks to the rapid pacing things merge quickly and all becomes clear. No more referencing the plot from me because everything that follows is one giant series of twists and turns that made my head spin!
This was an insanely fun book to binge read and reminded me of a fast paced action movie. Yes, some of the characters actions and choices seemed rather out there, but if you can just sit back and take things at face value it makes for a highly enjoyable read.
One Fatal Mistake in three words: Relentless, Exhilarating and Fast.
This wastes absolutely no time and gets straight to the action, you meet Joshua a high school senior who accidentally kills a man after hitting him with his car and he flees, and then Amber, Ross and Shane who rob a bank. At first you’re wondering how these two separate storylines have anything to do with each other but thanks to the rapid pacing things merge quickly and all becomes clear. No more referencing the plot from me because everything that follows is one giant series of twists and turns that made my head spin!
This was an insanely fun book to binge read and reminded me of a fast paced action movie. Yes, some of the characters actions and choices seemed rather out there, but if you can just sit back and take things at face value it makes for a highly enjoyable read.
One Fatal Mistake in three words: Relentless, Exhilarating and Fast.
November 13, 2018
This book had such potential but then took a turn towards the end that kind of killed the mood for me. I give it a solid 3-1/2 stars because I was completely engrossed in the story up to the last chapter. I never include a spoiler -- so you don't have to worry about not finishing the review.
It is always easy to say what one would do in a crisis or confronted with a life or death situation -- it is another thing, however, to see what you REALLY do. Our minds can play tricks on us; our conscience can go into hiding; and we are quick to look for the path of least resistance -- but when the dust settles, we oftentimes find we underestimated our ability to remain truthful and straight forward.
Joshua is 18 and finds himself involved in an accident along a dark road deep in the woods -- a deadly hit and run in which he doesn't report. In fact, he hopes to shelve the entire incident in the back of his mind and never think of it again. If only it were that easy.
Joshua's divorced Mom is concerned about his behavior and aloof attitude and keeps a close eye on him. Afraid that he may have left one of his gloves at the accident scene, Joshua sneaks out of the house at night to return to the crime scene. His mother, Karen, follows him using her phone app that tracks the whereabouts of Joshua's phone. She unexpectedly comes across her son standing over a dead body off the side of the road. In the span of a few short minutes, a story and cover-up are devised. No one will be the wiser and no one will ever know. If only it were that easy.
Shane, his brother Ross and Ross's girlfriend, Amber, are about to rob a bank. The plan has been put in motion, only Ross and Amber neglected to tell Shane that they plan on leaving him behind at the robbery scene and make off with the entire loot. With over $40,000 in cash, Ross and Amber are racing down the back roads to avoid the police when their car breaks down. Left to the fend for themselves in the cold elements, they take off across the woods on foot to avoid being discovered. What are the odds that in the dark of night they would run across a mother and son standing over a dead body? If only they had just stolen Joshua or Karen's car at the scene and fled they could have been on their way -- if only it was that easy.
One slip-up, one error, one unfortunate happening and everyone's lives are now in turmoil. The tension builds as the lies of deceit mount higher each day. A harrowing tale ensues that shows no signs of relief or resolve. A plan is hatched -- a plan that could work if nothing goes wrong -- but how often does that happen. And there is still that ONE fatal mistake. Nothing is ever that easy.
It is always easy to say what one would do in a crisis or confronted with a life or death situation -- it is another thing, however, to see what you REALLY do. Our minds can play tricks on us; our conscience can go into hiding; and we are quick to look for the path of least resistance -- but when the dust settles, we oftentimes find we underestimated our ability to remain truthful and straight forward.
Joshua is 18 and finds himself involved in an accident along a dark road deep in the woods -- a deadly hit and run in which he doesn't report. In fact, he hopes to shelve the entire incident in the back of his mind and never think of it again. If only it were that easy.
Joshua's divorced Mom is concerned about his behavior and aloof attitude and keeps a close eye on him. Afraid that he may have left one of his gloves at the accident scene, Joshua sneaks out of the house at night to return to the crime scene. His mother, Karen, follows him using her phone app that tracks the whereabouts of Joshua's phone. She unexpectedly comes across her son standing over a dead body off the side of the road. In the span of a few short minutes, a story and cover-up are devised. No one will be the wiser and no one will ever know. If only it were that easy.
Shane, his brother Ross and Ross's girlfriend, Amber, are about to rob a bank. The plan has been put in motion, only Ross and Amber neglected to tell Shane that they plan on leaving him behind at the robbery scene and make off with the entire loot. With over $40,000 in cash, Ross and Amber are racing down the back roads to avoid the police when their car breaks down. Left to the fend for themselves in the cold elements, they take off across the woods on foot to avoid being discovered. What are the odds that in the dark of night they would run across a mother and son standing over a dead body? If only they had just stolen Joshua or Karen's car at the scene and fled they could have been on their way -- if only it was that easy.
One slip-up, one error, one unfortunate happening and everyone's lives are now in turmoil. The tension builds as the lies of deceit mount higher each day. A harrowing tale ensues that shows no signs of relief or resolve. A plan is hatched -- a plan that could work if nothing goes wrong -- but how often does that happen. And there is still that ONE fatal mistake. Nothing is ever that easy.
April 3, 2019
Before you open this book, take a deep breath. Then check your ability to throw logic out the window so that you can suspend a large measure of disbelief in order to swallow this story of one family's attempt to cover up a murder.
Joshua Mayo and his father are driving in the Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area in Nebraska when they are involved in a hit-and-run accident in Josh's Nissan Altima. Joshua tries to hide the evidence and go about his usual activities. He's a senior in high school, waiting for a college acceptance letter, and doesn't want his life to be ruined so he doesn't contact the police. Unfortunately, as things do, everything unravels quite quickly when Joshua goes back to the accident site to retrieve a missing glove and runs into Ross and Amber. The pair has just gone on the lam after robbing a bank and cheating their third partner in the crime out of 40K. And this is when the real trouble begins...NO SPOILERS
It's never a good idea to try to get away with murder or to try to cover up a crime. Joshua and his parents, Karen and Teddy, get in way over their heads in this action-packed tale. This was a quick read and ends much as you would expect. Parents trying to protect their child. Moral ambiguities that definitely cross ethical and responsible behavior -- you know, something you want to nuture in your children. There was quite a bit of this story that I just couldn't stomach as it was impossible for me to buy into the scenarios and outcomes in some cases -- but I guess I'm just not that kind of a mom and I had a hard time liking any of the characters -- you know, the ones you're supposed to empathize with or relate to. I'm sure others will find this domestic drama much more appealing than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the e-book ARC to read and review.
Joshua Mayo and his father are driving in the Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area in Nebraska when they are involved in a hit-and-run accident in Josh's Nissan Altima. Joshua tries to hide the evidence and go about his usual activities. He's a senior in high school, waiting for a college acceptance letter, and doesn't want his life to be ruined so he doesn't contact the police. Unfortunately, as things do, everything unravels quite quickly when Joshua goes back to the accident site to retrieve a missing glove and runs into Ross and Amber. The pair has just gone on the lam after robbing a bank and cheating their third partner in the crime out of 40K. And this is when the real trouble begins...NO SPOILERS
It's never a good idea to try to get away with murder or to try to cover up a crime. Joshua and his parents, Karen and Teddy, get in way over their heads in this action-packed tale. This was a quick read and ends much as you would expect. Parents trying to protect their child. Moral ambiguities that definitely cross ethical and responsible behavior -- you know, something you want to nuture in your children. There was quite a bit of this story that I just couldn't stomach as it was impossible for me to buy into the scenarios and outcomes in some cases -- but I guess I'm just not that kind of a mom and I had a hard time liking any of the characters -- you know, the ones you're supposed to empathize with or relate to. I'm sure others will find this domestic drama much more appealing than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the e-book ARC to read and review.
December 23, 2018
It was an accident, plain and simple, until it turned into a nightmare of lies, cover-ups and a desperate race for survival and atonement.
ONE FATAL MISTAKE became a tsunami of horror for one teen and his parents. Bad judgement call after bad judgement call almost killed them all when Fate put them in the crosshairs of two bank robbers who have discovered their secret and they prove how far they will go to “protect” the ones they love. But have they gone in the wrong direction?
Tom Hunt presents a twisted tale of misguided love and loyalty as we witness character after character do exactly the opposite of what they should have when lives were on the line.
It was amazing how often I sat there saying, no, no, no, not that…do NOT do that…and yet the characters did and I just couldn’t stop reading to see how it all turned out, white-knuckling it through every page. Then I asked myself…what would I have REALLY done? I know the kind of parent I am and I was shocked by some of the parental actions or lack of…a fascinating tale to dissect!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Berkley!
Publisher: Berkley (February 5, 2019)
Publication Date: February 5, 2019
Genre: Suspense
Print Length: 320 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
ONE FATAL MISTAKE became a tsunami of horror for one teen and his parents. Bad judgement call after bad judgement call almost killed them all when Fate put them in the crosshairs of two bank robbers who have discovered their secret and they prove how far they will go to “protect” the ones they love. But have they gone in the wrong direction?
Tom Hunt presents a twisted tale of misguided love and loyalty as we witness character after character do exactly the opposite of what they should have when lives were on the line.
It was amazing how often I sat there saying, no, no, no, not that…do NOT do that…and yet the characters did and I just couldn’t stop reading to see how it all turned out, white-knuckling it through every page. Then I asked myself…what would I have REALLY done? I know the kind of parent I am and I was shocked by some of the parental actions or lack of…a fascinating tale to dissect!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Berkley!
Publisher: Berkley (February 5, 2019)
Publication Date: February 5, 2019
Genre: Suspense
Print Length: 320 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
October 25, 2018
A brilliantly exciting thriller of ordinary people in an extraordinary situation that necessitates making tough choices that will affect their lives forever.
I really enjoyed it from cover to cover and warmly recommend it to fans of e.g. Harlan Coben and Joseph Finder.
[An ARC of the book was generously provided by the publisher through the First to Read program in exchange for an honest review]
I really enjoyed it from cover to cover and warmly recommend it to fans of e.g. Harlan Coben and Joseph Finder.
[An ARC of the book was generously provided by the publisher through the First to Read program in exchange for an honest review]
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