Release

by Nina Blakeman

The highly educated Dr. Faye Davis isn’t satisfied. A member of the esteemed faculty at Cullen State University, life in academia has left her unfulfilled regarding what she wants most—a family. The bleak, dispirited region of West Texas presents the appropriate backdrop to Faye’s turbulent life within the toxic Davis family. At first, she longed for kinship and belonging within the Davis tribe, but certain members wouldn’t have it, not now . . . not ever. It left her desperate, fearful, and with blood on her hands. Faye’s mother, socialite Madeline Brady, doesn’t mince words when it comes to her disapproval of Faye’s marriage to Dr. Todd Davis and her grip on her stepdaughter’s baby. Fearing for her daughter’s safety, she warns Faye that there are far worse things in life than being alone. The mother’s advice for her daughter is to just let it go. But can she convince Faye before it’s too late? What needs to happen for the learned Faye to realize that certain things in life are just not meant to be? One thing is certain, the lesson will be terrifying and costly.

317 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 21, 2018

About the author

Nina Blakeman, BSN, PhD is an experienced professional who takes her knowledge of the biomedical field to the fictional realm. Her thrillers are meant to unhinge the reader's sense of well-being. She lives in West Texas with her husband, Scot, and their three dogs. She enjoys classic rock, golf, a good suspense novel, and the Green Bay Packers. She’s the author of Blind Vision, as well as the Faye Davis series, The Blow-up Man, Envy Rots the Bones, and Release.

Reviews

[Goth Gone Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark tale of a twisted family tree

This is the third book in a series, the ending a hint at more to come if the author chooses. I hadn't read the first two; this starts by jumping into the story quickly by explains enough of the backstory to catch a new reader up. It's a very dark psychological tale of a gnarled, twisted family tree.

This book is well crafted enough to stay with you - on two of the nights I read it before bed, I found myself waking to vivid nightmares. It's rich with all manner of gruesome acts - kidnapping, rape and murder - that completely fit the storyline. Nearly every character is deeply flawed in their own unique manner, whether it be physical or mental.

A calmer example of the writing, foreshadowing what's to come:

"Tami pulled the 2014 Chevy Cruze up to the curb. On the car’s front doors were magnetic signs that promoted Mack’s Delicatessen and its phone number. Tami grabbed the insulated case that held two Reuben sandwiches along with a large side of potato salad. Tami started up to the house. She noticed a tree that had littered the yard and walk with pine straw and cones. Little did she know that nature shedding its waste was nothing compared to the waste humans could waylay on the precious earth. But she was about to find out."

I was given a copy of this book by the author to review.

[Grouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

… AND MORE

The following review was not anyway influence by the manner that I received the copy. I am not a proof reader or editor. I judge the book on whether I like it or didn’t like it.


This book has everything it needs. It has a psychopath of epoch proportions, a father who likes to dip his pen in the company inkwell, a prostitute named Tami, a couple of dysfunctional individuals who are in a false marriage, a unwed mother, kidnapped baby, of course the FBI, local police detectives, a face un-implantation, victims falling like wet snow, and a plethora of supporting characters. For those who are old enough to remember, a house built from a Sears Home Kit was also found in this book.

Trying to read this book and keep the voices in my head from erupting, I felt I needed a crime time line and evidence board with the character’s pictures. Or maybe I was too deeply involved to really enjoy this book,

It is well written and even though I found to be laborious read, I feel it deserves low four star review and I would recommend this book to those that need a brain massage.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when you thot nothing worse could happen....
This book does hit a point where I thought perhaps they all just kill each other and no one will be left at the end. A total tragedy.
Lots of gruesome ness. Not sure if the author could do another book at hold interest as we have read/heard it all. Not for the faint of heart at all!
The end left me slapping my forehead in "oh geez" mode.
Blakeman sure can make nasty characters!

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Here's the thing... I couldn't even finish this book. I won it in a giveaway from Goodreads & that in no way affects my review! I love the writing style & think it could be a great story line, it's just not my story line.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like the ending.

[Kathy Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this Kindle edition book in a GoodReads giveaway. Thank you to everyone involved!!
This is a different type book than I normally read. Very different but interesting!!

[Carolyn Inman · Rating 3 out of 5]

My interest was held through the book but all the killing and torture was a little much!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written - a good read.

[Paul Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story about crazy relationships.

[Kimberley H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining

A good mix of characters and a dark suspenseful story. I appreciated being a selected giveaway winner of this book

[Qui2 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I stopped reading this. The writing was ok, but 1/4 w way through the book I still couldn’t remember who was who, because the characters were so one dimensional. It seemed to go for shock value, but fell flat on its face.