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The Request
When a man agrees to do a favor for a friend, he gets more than he bargained for as he becomes embroiled in a woman’s murder in this new thriller from the USA Today bestselling author of Layover. Ryan Francis has it all—great job, wonderful wife, beautiful child—and he loves posting photos of his perfect life on social media. Until the night his friend Blake asks him to break into a woman’s home to retrieve incriminating items that implicate Blake in an affair. Ryan refuses to help, but when Blake threatens to reveal Ryan’s darkest secret—which could jeopardize everything in Ryan’s life—Ryan has no choice but to honor Blake’s request. When he arrives at the woman's home, Ryan is shocked to find her dead—and just as shocked to realize he knows her. Then his phone chimes, revealing a Facebook friend request from the woman. With police sirens rapidly approaching, Ryan flees, wondering why his friend was setting him up for murder. Determined to keep his life intact and to clear his name, Ryan must find the real murderer—but solving the crime may lead him closer to home than he ever could have imagined.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2020
151 people are currently reading
10111 people want to read
About the author
David Bell
31 books2,269 followersDavid Bell is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning suspense novelist. His most recent thriller from Berkley/Penguin is KILL ALL YOUR DARLINGS. His previous novels include THE REQUEST, LAYOVER, SOMEBODY'S DAUGHTER, BRING HER HOME, SINCE SHE WENT AWAY, SOMEBODY I USED TO KNOW, THE FORGOTTEN GIRL, NEVER COME BACK, THE HIDING PLACE, and CEMETERY GIRL. He is currently a Professor of English at Western Kentucky University and can be reached via his website at www.davidbellnovels.com, on Twitter at Twitter.com/davidbellnovels, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/davidbellnovels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 489 reviews
June 3, 2022
When I read The Layover, by David Bell, I wasn't prepared for the intelligent good guy main character to do such dumb things and keep on doing dumb things so I thought I didn't care for the book much. But the story stuck with me because I had so much fun reading it with Jayme and over time I have very fond memories of the book. So when The Request became available to read, I wanted to see what Bell's latest smart guy, maybe doing dumb things, had up his sleeve, and I was not disappointed. Ryan is our new protagonist and he's already had some unwise decisions in his past, that has him scrambling, in order to maintain his "perfect" life reputation, in the present.
But Ryan's not the only one making bad decisions because there are a lot of bad decisions made by a host of characters, in The Request. I had a lot of fun reading and discussing this book with my buddies because the book is full of twists and turns, and crazy decisions that lead to more crazy decisions. Bell writes characters that we can care about as we roll our eyes at the things that they do. And social media seems to be the downfall for several people in this story. So many of the younger generation have had social media in their lives so long, so much, as a constant part of each minute of their lives, that they forget how dangerous and intrusive it really is to allow strangers and acquaintances to know everything about your existence. A "perfect" life on display, for all to see, can lead to jealousies, resentments, and danger and Ryan learns this the hard way.
Published June 30th 2020
Thank you to Berkley/Penguin Publishing Group and Edelweiss for this ARC.
But Ryan's not the only one making bad decisions because there are a lot of bad decisions made by a host of characters, in The Request. I had a lot of fun reading and discussing this book with my buddies because the book is full of twists and turns, and crazy decisions that lead to more crazy decisions. Bell writes characters that we can care about as we roll our eyes at the things that they do. And social media seems to be the downfall for several people in this story. So many of the younger generation have had social media in their lives so long, so much, as a constant part of each minute of their lives, that they forget how dangerous and intrusive it really is to allow strangers and acquaintances to know everything about your existence. A "perfect" life on display, for all to see, can lead to jealousies, resentments, and danger and Ryan learns this the hard way.
Published June 30th 2020
Thank you to Berkley/Penguin Publishing Group and Edelweiss for this ARC.
October 2, 2020
Who needs enemies when you have friends try to ruin your life and set you up with murder?
Ryan seems like having a dreamy life, perfect job, perfect wife and a perfect new born. Even though he carries a big secret that gnawing at him, he tries his best to atone his sins and literally pay his dues by sending money to the people acting like Good Samaritan to help them after he got involved in an accident resulted with one girl’s death and other girl’s disability.
At first chapter, we witness Ryan helps a family secretly because of an accident he got involved when he was young and stupid. (We’re informed that he wasn’t the driver!) And now he is still stupid because he got caught when he was sending money. Now he is blackmailed by the family’s eldest daughter who finds out the source of the money they get and she wants her own cut.
And when we move on to the next chapter, we’re introduced to Blake who needs a favor and if he doesn’t accept his offer, he kindly threatens him to spill beans about their secret: (one more time: it is about bloody car accident). So Ryan patiently listens his friend who he is about to get marry (but not kind enough to invite them to the ceremony!) but he’s afraid that he had an affair with woman named Jen and wrote her letters to share their common secret (Yes, I agree! Blake is not only douchebag but he is also moron douchebag!) Now he wants his letters back and tells Ryan trespass to get them from Jen’s apartment.
Ryan reluctantly agrees but as soon as he gets into the apartment he finds out Jen is gone! (No, she didn’t go to visit her parents. I wish she did) She is lying in blood pool on the floor. And there is no letters around her house. And wait for it! He knows her. Jen contacted with him online before. They wrote each other several times and he thought she has romantic interest about him. At the very same time Ryan realizes he gets FB friend request from Jen as he stands at her apartment, looking at her corpse. What the hell? Who killed her and did Blake do it and plan to frame him?
Then the story takes a real dark turn and all the hell breaks loose.
Strengths; This is great criticism of voyeurism of social media and its dark, dangerous effects on people’s faked lives. Nothing as it seems and no couple is perfect. As lies and secrets emerge, no photoshop or any adobe creative clouds can save you! It’s quick pacing, easy to read and gripping story!
Weakness: I didn’t like any of the characters and I couldn’t care any less about the shit storm they’re dealing with. Especially the final revelation scene was a little over rated and unrealistic.
Overall: It’s a 3.25 starred reading, just a little better from I didn’t like it but I also didn’t hate it- let meet in the middle reading. (I mean Switzerland reading!) Some parts are so predictable and the characters are mostly annoying but it has great approach to the danger of social media and over sharing your life with strangers and I never get bored or yawned during my reading. Pacing was intriguing and fast. I can understand why so many of my reader friends like it so much. And I still want to read more works of the author.
Special Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this interesting ARC in exchange my honest review.
Ryan seems like having a dreamy life, perfect job, perfect wife and a perfect new born. Even though he carries a big secret that gnawing at him, he tries his best to atone his sins and literally pay his dues by sending money to the people acting like Good Samaritan to help them after he got involved in an accident resulted with one girl’s death and other girl’s disability.
At first chapter, we witness Ryan helps a family secretly because of an accident he got involved when he was young and stupid. (We’re informed that he wasn’t the driver!) And now he is still stupid because he got caught when he was sending money. Now he is blackmailed by the family’s eldest daughter who finds out the source of the money they get and she wants her own cut.
And when we move on to the next chapter, we’re introduced to Blake who needs a favor and if he doesn’t accept his offer, he kindly threatens him to spill beans about their secret: (one more time: it is about bloody car accident). So Ryan patiently listens his friend who he is about to get marry (but not kind enough to invite them to the ceremony!) but he’s afraid that he had an affair with woman named Jen and wrote her letters to share their common secret (Yes, I agree! Blake is not only douchebag but he is also moron douchebag!) Now he wants his letters back and tells Ryan trespass to get them from Jen’s apartment.
Ryan reluctantly agrees but as soon as he gets into the apartment he finds out Jen is gone! (No, she didn’t go to visit her parents. I wish she did) She is lying in blood pool on the floor. And there is no letters around her house. And wait for it! He knows her. Jen contacted with him online before. They wrote each other several times and he thought she has romantic interest about him. At the very same time Ryan realizes he gets FB friend request from Jen as he stands at her apartment, looking at her corpse. What the hell? Who killed her and did Blake do it and plan to frame him?
Then the story takes a real dark turn and all the hell breaks loose.
Strengths; This is great criticism of voyeurism of social media and its dark, dangerous effects on people’s faked lives. Nothing as it seems and no couple is perfect. As lies and secrets emerge, no photoshop or any adobe creative clouds can save you! It’s quick pacing, easy to read and gripping story!
Weakness: I didn’t like any of the characters and I couldn’t care any less about the shit storm they’re dealing with. Especially the final revelation scene was a little over rated and unrealistic.
Overall: It’s a 3.25 starred reading, just a little better from I didn’t like it but I also didn’t hate it- let meet in the middle reading. (I mean Switzerland reading!) Some parts are so predictable and the characters are mostly annoying but it has great approach to the danger of social media and over sharing your life with strangers and I never get bored or yawned during my reading. Pacing was intriguing and fast. I can understand why so many of my reader friends like it so much. And I still want to read more works of the author.
Special Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this interesting ARC in exchange my honest review.
March 29, 2020
4.5*
David Bell has crafted yet another fun, fast-paced thriller guaranteed to have you screaming at the characters as they make their every move!
Ryan is a lucky guy. He’s managed to capture his own personal American dream. A beautiful wife he still adores and a son he can’t wait to come to every night. He’s hard working and driven towards success. Ryan even owns a bar on the side just for a bit of extra money… and fun! Everything is as perfect as it can be. Except for that one little, pesky secret he holds tight!
When his life-long friend Blake asks for one favor, Ryan is reluctant to oblige. He knows the risk involved could cost him everything he’s worked so hard to achieve. He’s also painfully aware he cannot refuse! One small favor...then life can get back to normal...right!?💁🏻♀️
David Bell writes a clever, high-end thriller that runs at breakneck speed! It will have you turning blue, yelling at the characters while pointing your finger at everyone, accusing them of murder! And more importantly, you’ll find yourself racing to the end to find how it all comes together!
David Bell’s books are an automatic read for me every year and I’m already anxiously waiting for his next!
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley Books and David Bell for an ARC to read and review.
David Bell has crafted yet another fun, fast-paced thriller guaranteed to have you screaming at the characters as they make their every move!
Ryan is a lucky guy. He’s managed to capture his own personal American dream. A beautiful wife he still adores and a son he can’t wait to come to every night. He’s hard working and driven towards success. Ryan even owns a bar on the side just for a bit of extra money… and fun! Everything is as perfect as it can be. Except for that one little, pesky secret he holds tight!
When his life-long friend Blake asks for one favor, Ryan is reluctant to oblige. He knows the risk involved could cost him everything he’s worked so hard to achieve. He’s also painfully aware he cannot refuse! One small favor...then life can get back to normal...right!?💁🏻♀️
David Bell writes a clever, high-end thriller that runs at breakneck speed! It will have you turning blue, yelling at the characters while pointing your finger at everyone, accusing them of murder! And more importantly, you’ll find yourself racing to the end to find how it all comes together!
David Bell’s books are an automatic read for me every year and I’m already anxiously waiting for his next!
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley Books and David Bell for an ARC to read and review.
June 30, 2020
"With friends like these..."
Ryan has it all - a loving wife, a beautiful baby boy, a job he enjoys, a nice home, and a blackmailer (or two)! He has the picture-perfect life which he shares on Social Media. Then out of the blue, his friend Blake asks for a meeting and asks Ryan for even more - he wants him to break into a woman's house and retrieve some evidence that will incriminate Blake in an affair. Ryan doesn't want to do it, but Blake is holding something over Ryan's head and he begrudgingly goes. What he discovers turns into a nightmare.
This book poses some juicy questions. Who is telling the truth? Who can be trusted? Who knows the truth? What is going on? Why is Ryan being blackmailed? The characters themselves make a lot of bad decisions in the name of self-preservation. Some characters are more likable and more sympathetic than others. All are entertaining. Most had me shaking my head. I enjoyed the twists and turns. I did guess a couple of things and wanted to yell and them "Wake up, how can you not see what is going on?" but those pesky characters kept having one-track minds and as they say "couldn't see the forest for the trees"
David Bell does not disappoint and has crafted a fast-paced, entertaining read. He creates quirky flawed characters who fumble around in search of answers. Each could be a suspect. This book might have you thinking twice before responding when someone asks you to do them a favor!
Entertaining, fast-paced, full of tension, captivating, and full of twists.
I received a copy of this book from Berkley Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ryan has it all - a loving wife, a beautiful baby boy, a job he enjoys, a nice home, and a blackmailer (or two)! He has the picture-perfect life which he shares on Social Media. Then out of the blue, his friend Blake asks for a meeting and asks Ryan for even more - he wants him to break into a woman's house and retrieve some evidence that will incriminate Blake in an affair. Ryan doesn't want to do it, but Blake is holding something over Ryan's head and he begrudgingly goes. What he discovers turns into a nightmare.
This book poses some juicy questions. Who is telling the truth? Who can be trusted? Who knows the truth? What is going on? Why is Ryan being blackmailed? The characters themselves make a lot of bad decisions in the name of self-preservation. Some characters are more likable and more sympathetic than others. All are entertaining. Most had me shaking my head. I enjoyed the twists and turns. I did guess a couple of things and wanted to yell and them "Wake up, how can you not see what is going on?" but those pesky characters kept having one-track minds and as they say "couldn't see the forest for the trees"
David Bell does not disappoint and has crafted a fast-paced, entertaining read. He creates quirky flawed characters who fumble around in search of answers. Each could be a suspect. This book might have you thinking twice before responding when someone asks you to do them a favor!
Entertaining, fast-paced, full of tension, captivating, and full of twists.
I received a copy of this book from Berkley Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 1, 2020
3.5 STARS rounded up to 4
While this wasn't my favorite novel by Bell, it was still a highly enjoyable, character driven mystery. Review to come!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
While this wasn't my favorite novel by Bell, it was still a highly enjoyable, character driven mystery. Review to come!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
June 30, 2020
In the opening sentence of the prologue, Ryan Francis will confess to you that he has a blackmailer.
He is lying.
He actually has two blackmailers!
He will also tell you that he is no Angel.
That’s the Truth.
So, when his “friend” asks him to retrieve some incriminating letters from a woman’s apartment for him, while she is attending an evening Yoga class, he really cannot say NO.
But, when he enters, he doesn’t find the letters...he finds the woman, DEAD.
As he stands there shocked, his phone chimes, revealing a Facebook friend request from the Victim.
Sirens approach, and he flees, wondering if his friend has set him up for Murder, and if so WHY?
This is my fourth novel by David Bell, and I am now starting to realize a few things about his books..
1. His protagonists are men who love their wives, their children and their parents, and who appreciate the simple things in life like curling up on the sofa together to enjoy a movie. 🍿
❤️I LOVE that!! I get tired of reading about abusive and Narcissistic husbands!
BUT-unfortunately, these men always lack good judgment and common sense!
2. The story will take place over a short period of time which keeps the pace fast, and the tension ramped up.
3. Some of the events which will occur will require you to suspend some disbelief, which I do not always do well, but which I seem to be able to forgive in the case of David Bell!
4. I will become completely engaged in the story immediately and be on the lookout for his next book, as soon as I finish the one I have been reading!
🕵🏻 Like a jigsaw puzzle, I can put some of it together, but not the entire thing, but everything will be resolved by the end, with no questions left unanswered.
AND the latest hubby and wife, will be able to return to their couch and watch their movie! 🍿
You can meet Ryan and Amanda Francis TODAY!!
AVAILABLE NOW!!
I received a gifted copy (thank you GoodReads!)
All opinions are my own.
He is lying.
He actually has two blackmailers!
He will also tell you that he is no Angel.
That’s the Truth.
So, when his “friend” asks him to retrieve some incriminating letters from a woman’s apartment for him, while she is attending an evening Yoga class, he really cannot say NO.
But, when he enters, he doesn’t find the letters...he finds the woman, DEAD.
As he stands there shocked, his phone chimes, revealing a Facebook friend request from the Victim.
Sirens approach, and he flees, wondering if his friend has set him up for Murder, and if so WHY?
This is my fourth novel by David Bell, and I am now starting to realize a few things about his books..
1. His protagonists are men who love their wives, their children and their parents, and who appreciate the simple things in life like curling up on the sofa together to enjoy a movie. 🍿
❤️I LOVE that!! I get tired of reading about abusive and Narcissistic husbands!
BUT-unfortunately, these men always lack good judgment and common sense!
2. The story will take place over a short period of time which keeps the pace fast, and the tension ramped up.
3. Some of the events which will occur will require you to suspend some disbelief, which I do not always do well, but which I seem to be able to forgive in the case of David Bell!
4. I will become completely engaged in the story immediately and be on the lookout for his next book, as soon as I finish the one I have been reading!
🕵🏻 Like a jigsaw puzzle, I can put some of it together, but not the entire thing, but everything will be resolved by the end, with no questions left unanswered.
AND the latest hubby and wife, will be able to return to their couch and watch their movie! 🍿
You can meet Ryan and Amanda Francis TODAY!!
AVAILABLE NOW!!
I received a gifted copy (thank you GoodReads!)
All opinions are my own.
June 18, 2020
I enjoyed The Layover last summer and am so excited I was able to read The Request this summer.
How far would a man go to help a friend? How far would be go if he was threatened by that friend to expose something so detrimental it would ruin his life?
For Ryan, life is good. He has a wife and child, a good job, and he could lose it all if he doesn’t help his friend Blake. The request? To break into someone’s home to get items that would implicate Blake in an affair. Ryan really does not want to do this and initially refuses, but Blake threatens to reveal a secret that could tear Ryan’s world apart.
When Ryan breaks in, he finds the woman dead AND he recognizes her. At the same moment, he receives a friend request on Facebook from the woman. What is happening and why has his friend set him up?
The Request is twisty, dark, compelling, fast-paced, clever, and original. I had so much fun with this. Suspend disbelief a little and catch a ride on this roller coaster of a read!
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
How far would a man go to help a friend? How far would be go if he was threatened by that friend to expose something so detrimental it would ruin his life?
For Ryan, life is good. He has a wife and child, a good job, and he could lose it all if he doesn’t help his friend Blake. The request? To break into someone’s home to get items that would implicate Blake in an affair. Ryan really does not want to do this and initially refuses, but Blake threatens to reveal a secret that could tear Ryan’s world apart.
When Ryan breaks in, he finds the woman dead AND he recognizes her. At the same moment, he receives a friend request on Facebook from the woman. What is happening and why has his friend set him up?
The Request is twisty, dark, compelling, fast-paced, clever, and original. I had so much fun with this. Suspend disbelief a little and catch a ride on this roller coaster of a read!
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
June 30, 2020
***AVAILABLE TODAY***
The Request was my first David Bell novel, and I have to say, I'm a fan!
This book was a non-stop, roller coaster ride. It started with a bang and the tension only escalated as the story progressed. It takes place over a relatively short period of time--around 48 hours--which is normally a big no-no for me, but this time, it actually worked.
Did Ryan, one of our protagonists, make some stupid choices? Oh yea, he sure did.
And did his wife, Amanda, occasionally get on my nerves? Oh yea, she sure did.
I, nevertheless, found the red herrings to be probable and the story to be twisty and engrossing. Although I suspected pretty much every twist, and was ultimately proven correct...I was still fascinated by the reasons behind them. Going into the final quarter of the book, I didn't want to put it down.
Mr. Bell has rapidly become a must-read author and I'm already looking forward to his next offering.
Recommended to those who love relentless action and suspense.
Available in the U.S. on June 30, 2020.
Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
The Request was my first David Bell novel, and I have to say, I'm a fan!
This book was a non-stop, roller coaster ride. It started with a bang and the tension only escalated as the story progressed. It takes place over a relatively short period of time--around 48 hours--which is normally a big no-no for me, but this time, it actually worked.
Did Ryan, one of our protagonists, make some stupid choices? Oh yea, he sure did.
And did his wife, Amanda, occasionally get on my nerves? Oh yea, she sure did.
I, nevertheless, found the red herrings to be probable and the story to be twisty and engrossing. Although I suspected pretty much every twist, and was ultimately proven correct...I was still fascinated by the reasons behind them. Going into the final quarter of the book, I didn't want to put it down.
Mr. Bell has rapidly become a must-read author and I'm already looking forward to his next offering.
Recommended to those who love relentless action and suspense.
Available in the U.S. on June 30, 2020.
Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
July 26, 2020
Ryan has a successful career, a loving wife named Amanda, and a baby son. All is fine in his world, except that he is being blackmailed after trying to make atonement for something in his past. To make matters worse, his estranged best friend, Blake, meets up with him one day out of the blue to request his assistance in retrieving some incriminating letters from a woman’s home. Blake makes it very clear that it’s a request Ryan can’t turn down. Long story short, Ryan goes to the woman’s home only to find her dead. It looks like someone is setting him up for the murder.
The Pros:
-It’s a suspenseful tale that keeps things moving along, essentially from the first page.
-There’s multiple players to suspect of wrongdoing.
-The structure is set up to reel you in so you you have no choice to see how it ends.
The Cons:
-Some of the scenes are a bit long-winded.
-I’m not sure certain characters would behave the way they do in real life.
-The character of Amanda has to be one of the most annoying I’ve read in quite awhile. I didn’t like how she was written. She repeats the same things over and over, and in multiple scenes. Her cryptic comments legitimately made me cringe and roll my eyes, and she is the main reason this isn’t a 4-star read for me.
All in all, a decent thriller that’s fun and easy to read. I look forward to trying another book by David Bell.
The Pros:
-It’s a suspenseful tale that keeps things moving along, essentially from the first page.
-There’s multiple players to suspect of wrongdoing.
-The structure is set up to reel you in so you you have no choice to see how it ends.
The Cons:
-Some of the scenes are a bit long-winded.
-I’m not sure certain characters would behave the way they do in real life.
-The character of Amanda has to be one of the most annoying I’ve read in quite awhile. I didn’t like how she was written. She repeats the same things over and over, and in multiple scenes. Her cryptic comments legitimately made me cringe and roll my eyes, and she is the main reason this isn’t a 4-star read for me.
All in all, a decent thriller that’s fun and easy to read. I look forward to trying another book by David Bell.
June 26, 2020
Fast paced, tense, and addictive. David Bell writes stories that completely suck me in, have me feeling anxious, and on the edge of my seat. Ryan and Amanda appear to have the perfect life. A Beautiful home, an adorable baby, and a happy marriage. BUT Ryan has a dark secret he’s been hiding for years. AND he is being blackmailed by not only one but two people to keep it. All this subterfuge leads to Ryan Breaking into a woman’s house to retrieve letters instead finding her dead body and then discovering that he knows the murder victim. To make everything even more complicated and chilling as he looks down at the women’s dead body he receives a Facebook friend request from her on his phone. Of course I reach this point of the book just as I think I’m about to go to sleep... didn’t happen. There were so many pulse pounding moments in this book as Ryan gets himself into one sticky situation after another. Ryan is a likable kind family Man who you really do want things to work out for. Ryan however seems to lack any common sense throughout the story. This is a book that will make you look over your shoulder the next time you’re walking down the street and think twice the next time before you post something on Facebook. A compulsive story with a satisfying end.
This book in emojis 📱 ✉️ 👶🏼 👰🏼 💰 💻
*** Big thank you to Berkley for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
This book in emojis 📱 ✉️ 👶🏼 👰🏼 💰 💻
*** Big thank you to Berkley for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
June 30, 2022
Ryan Francis has a secret. There are a people making requests of him so that the secret won't come out. That is leading to lies and more secrets. . .and now there is a dead body at his feet. As with "Layover," we have an average guy whose life is spiraling out of control. The people around him are cast in a new light. The police are questioning him. The stress is through the roof and we are along for the ride. In this timely thriller, social media is also on the hot seat. Just by doing what they do, the likes of Facebook, Insta, Twitter, and Messenger are adding to the chaos. When is it time to pull the plug? I have awarded high marks to Bell on this one for the timely nuances regarding social media and the many twists and turns. Those 400+ pages just zipped by.
My favorite from David Bell!
My favorite from David Bell!
July 18, 2020
3.5 stars.
After you read David Bell's newest thriller, The Request , you’ll think twice the next time a friend asks you to do them a favor!
If people didn’t do stupid things and/or lie, would thrillers exist? That’s the question I asked myself while reading this twisty thriller.
Ryan and Blake were very close in college; Blake was practically a brother to him. But they’ve been estranged for the last several months, so Ryan is surprised to see Blake one night after work. Blake needs Ryan to break into a woman’s house and steal some evidence that proves Blake had an affair with her. And if Ryan doesn’t do it, Blake will expose his darkest secret, which will upend his life.
When Ryan gets to her house and goes to look for the letters, he makes a shocking discovery. Not only does he know this woman, but he finds her body in the house, and it appears she has been murdered. Of course, this puts him in the middle of a tangled web that threatens to destroy his life and his marriage—and he has no idea whom to trust or where to turn.
Despite the fact that I guessed a key plot point really early on, this book kept me guessing. Bell throws in lots of twists and turns and the book moves pretty quickly. You do need to suspend your disbelief, but that’s typical of thrillers. It really becomes fast-paced at one point and things get a little tense.
It’s amazing how dumb people can be when they think they’re doing the right thing!
I was honored to be part of the blog tour for this book. Get Red PR and Berkley provided me with a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
After you read David Bell's newest thriller, The Request , you’ll think twice the next time a friend asks you to do them a favor!
If people didn’t do stupid things and/or lie, would thrillers exist? That’s the question I asked myself while reading this twisty thriller.
Ryan and Blake were very close in college; Blake was practically a brother to him. But they’ve been estranged for the last several months, so Ryan is surprised to see Blake one night after work. Blake needs Ryan to break into a woman’s house and steal some evidence that proves Blake had an affair with her. And if Ryan doesn’t do it, Blake will expose his darkest secret, which will upend his life.
When Ryan gets to her house and goes to look for the letters, he makes a shocking discovery. Not only does he know this woman, but he finds her body in the house, and it appears she has been murdered. Of course, this puts him in the middle of a tangled web that threatens to destroy his life and his marriage—and he has no idea whom to trust or where to turn.
Despite the fact that I guessed a key plot point really early on, this book kept me guessing. Bell throws in lots of twists and turns and the book moves pretty quickly. You do need to suspend your disbelief, but that’s typical of thrillers. It really becomes fast-paced at one point and things get a little tense.
It’s amazing how dumb people can be when they think they’re doing the right thing!
I was honored to be part of the blog tour for this book. Get Red PR and Berkley provided me with a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
March 26, 2020
What do you do when you agree to do a favor for a friend and it turns out to be more that you bargained for?
Ryan Francis seems to have everything he could need - a nice job, wonderful family and fun posting about it on social media sites to everyone with photos. One night his friend, Blake, asks him to go in to a woman's house and get items that could prove of an affair on him. At first Ryan refuses ... that is until Blake blackmails him in to doing it with a dark secret that he knows and will reveal about Ryan. When Ryan goes to the house he finds the woman dead. At a distance he hears police coming and he runs. Did his friend set him up for the murder? Why would he do that? Now, Ryan has to find the real killer and clear his name ... but how and at what cost? I wasn't really in love with any of the characters but that was minor for me because the book kept me reading for answers.
Overall, this was a gripping thriller that was a fun ride even though I figured out a few twists early on in the book. Well written and proves that social media is not just about being friendly and social.
Special thanks to David Bell, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the ARC and a chance to read and review.
Ryan Francis seems to have everything he could need - a nice job, wonderful family and fun posting about it on social media sites to everyone with photos. One night his friend, Blake, asks him to go in to a woman's house and get items that could prove of an affair on him. At first Ryan refuses ... that is until Blake blackmails him in to doing it with a dark secret that he knows and will reveal about Ryan. When Ryan goes to the house he finds the woman dead. At a distance he hears police coming and he runs. Did his friend set him up for the murder? Why would he do that? Now, Ryan has to find the real killer and clear his name ... but how and at what cost? I wasn't really in love with any of the characters but that was minor for me because the book kept me reading for answers.
Overall, this was a gripping thriller that was a fun ride even though I figured out a few twists early on in the book. Well written and proves that social media is not just about being friendly and social.
Special thanks to David Bell, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the ARC and a chance to read and review.
September 8, 2020
Fast-paced, intricate, and with some great twists—if you don’t mind suspending your disbelief a tad, grab David Bell’s latest thriller and clear your plans for the next day! This one is hard to put down once you start it!
It all started with blackmail. Well, that’s not entirely true. It all started with the accident back in college. The secret that Ryan and his best friend Blake have held onto for so long. The guilt over a sophomoric prank gone wrong. Now someone is blackmailing Ryan, and it is only the beginning…
Ryan has the picture-perfect life. Literally. His photos of his wife Amanda and their infant son Henry gather hundreds of likes and comments from friends and family. Ryan has finally overcome his troubling past—the loss of his father, the struggles to make ends meet and finish his degree, the accident… Now he is married, has a job he is great at, has a beautiful son, and is even a minority owner in a local bar.
When his best friend from college Blake gets together with him, everything will change. First the blackmail, and now Blake reappears. Despite the setbacks, Ryan and Blake always are bonded. So when Blake approaches Ryan with the good news that he and his on-again-off-again girlfriend Samantha are getting married, Ryan is taken aback but happy for them. Sam is so good for Blake.
Now Blake has just one small request from Ryan, that will change everything…
Go to the house of a woman he was seeing on a break with Sam, and look for some letters. The letters will not just destroy what Blake has with Sam, he also confesses about the accident from college. The one Ryan is being blackmailed about. So Ryan goes, against his better judgment. And when he gets these, things really take a turn… Because Ryan knows this woman, and now he finds her murdered in her home.
He was never supposed to be there, so he runs. And then things really unravel. Who is setting him up for murder? Did Blake know about this? And is this death linked to the blackmail, or just a coincidence?
Moving at breakneck speed from the moment it begins, this is a fantastic book to lose yourself in. For my personal tastes, this is by far the best book of David Bell’s that I’ve read. The narrative structure and the cliff hangers at the end of the chapters definitely has me hooked. It is a total “one more chapter” kind of read!
Ryan is a great character, because he is rootable but flawed. I really wanted things to turn out okay. I loved his family. I really liked Amanda and found her to be quite intriguing as a character. From the beginning social media has a subtle but important current underlying the narrative. Ryan notes several times how much he puts on display. And at times we hear from different characters whether they do or don’t use social media. We also learn how many see the perfect photos of Ryan’s family and think it means his life is perfect. Let me tell you—it is clear from page one that his life isn’t perfect! But that is always the thing about social media, right? We only put the good things out there.
Ryan also harbors guilt over the night from college, and it is hard to not want to reach through the pages and shake him. Just come clean! Stop lying to Amanda! And then there were moments I wanted to say the same to her. But through all of their ups and downs as characters, I loved the way both drop everything for one another. That sort of love can get you through even the roughest times. And let’s just say, this book covers the roughest of times for them!
Twist-y and addictive—this is a great thriller to dive into!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
It all started with blackmail. Well, that’s not entirely true. It all started with the accident back in college. The secret that Ryan and his best friend Blake have held onto for so long. The guilt over a sophomoric prank gone wrong. Now someone is blackmailing Ryan, and it is only the beginning…
Ryan has the picture-perfect life. Literally. His photos of his wife Amanda and their infant son Henry gather hundreds of likes and comments from friends and family. Ryan has finally overcome his troubling past—the loss of his father, the struggles to make ends meet and finish his degree, the accident… Now he is married, has a job he is great at, has a beautiful son, and is even a minority owner in a local bar.
When his best friend from college Blake gets together with him, everything will change. First the blackmail, and now Blake reappears. Despite the setbacks, Ryan and Blake always are bonded. So when Blake approaches Ryan with the good news that he and his on-again-off-again girlfriend Samantha are getting married, Ryan is taken aback but happy for them. Sam is so good for Blake.
Now Blake has just one small request from Ryan, that will change everything…
Go to the house of a woman he was seeing on a break with Sam, and look for some letters. The letters will not just destroy what Blake has with Sam, he also confesses about the accident from college. The one Ryan is being blackmailed about. So Ryan goes, against his better judgment. And when he gets these, things really take a turn… Because Ryan knows this woman, and now he finds her murdered in her home.
He was never supposed to be there, so he runs. And then things really unravel. Who is setting him up for murder? Did Blake know about this? And is this death linked to the blackmail, or just a coincidence?
Moving at breakneck speed from the moment it begins, this is a fantastic book to lose yourself in. For my personal tastes, this is by far the best book of David Bell’s that I’ve read. The narrative structure and the cliff hangers at the end of the chapters definitely has me hooked. It is a total “one more chapter” kind of read!
Ryan is a great character, because he is rootable but flawed. I really wanted things to turn out okay. I loved his family. I really liked Amanda and found her to be quite intriguing as a character. From the beginning social media has a subtle but important current underlying the narrative. Ryan notes several times how much he puts on display. And at times we hear from different characters whether they do or don’t use social media. We also learn how many see the perfect photos of Ryan’s family and think it means his life is perfect. Let me tell you—it is clear from page one that his life isn’t perfect! But that is always the thing about social media, right? We only put the good things out there.
Ryan also harbors guilt over the night from college, and it is hard to not want to reach through the pages and shake him. Just come clean! Stop lying to Amanda! And then there were moments I wanted to say the same to her. But through all of their ups and downs as characters, I loved the way both drop everything for one another. That sort of love can get you through even the roughest times. And let’s just say, this book covers the roughest of times for them!
Twist-y and addictive—this is a great thriller to dive into!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
August 1, 2020
My husband and I listened to “The Request” by David Bell, narrated by Tristan Morris. Unfortunately, we were not a big fan of Morris as a narrator for this novel. Saying that, we listened to all twelve hours and six minutes of the story. In addition, the protagonist is one of the most idiotic characters I’ve come across. I’m not sure if Bell intended for the protagonist to be such a fool, and maybe it was the narrator’s voice that added to the stupidity. Another factor that could have affected our opinion was that we had just listened to a James Patterson novel with a pitch-perfect narrator for the main character. Our standards were high.
Again, we remained involved in the story despite all the reasons not to. What held us is Bell’s twists and turns. Yes, the protagonist Ryan Francis made mistake after mistake. He deserved all of his problems. Even driving, we would say aloud “how can he be that stupid!!” And yet, we continued to listen. So I ask myself, why?
Well, David Bell paced the story perfectly. The twists and turns had impact. Ryan, the main character, finds himself involved in a woman’s murder. He has a ‘great” friend who anyone with a sane mind could see that the guy is manipulative, deceitful, and untrustworthy. Yet, Ryan continues to do his bidding and gets himself into deeper water.
I do give up on stories that I don’t like. In this one, I think I liked the story, but hated the characters. Could the story work with a more likeable protagonist? I am not sure. It was like watching a bad traffic accident that you can’t take your eyes off of. The characters in the novel gain no sympathy or empathy. Yet the storyline is one that maintains interest.
Again, we remained involved in the story despite all the reasons not to. What held us is Bell’s twists and turns. Yes, the protagonist Ryan Francis made mistake after mistake. He deserved all of his problems. Even driving, we would say aloud “how can he be that stupid!!” And yet, we continued to listen. So I ask myself, why?
Well, David Bell paced the story perfectly. The twists and turns had impact. Ryan, the main character, finds himself involved in a woman’s murder. He has a ‘great” friend who anyone with a sane mind could see that the guy is manipulative, deceitful, and untrustworthy. Yet, Ryan continues to do his bidding and gets himself into deeper water.
I do give up on stories that I don’t like. In this one, I think I liked the story, but hated the characters. Could the story work with a more likeable protagonist? I am not sure. It was like watching a bad traffic accident that you can’t take your eyes off of. The characters in the novel gain no sympathy or empathy. Yet the storyline is one that maintains interest.
June 30, 2020
*This one is now available!*
4 It’s OK to say No stars
In this fast-paced thriller, we have Ryan, the man who seemingly has it all – a lovely wife and child at home – and a great job. He has some skeletons in his closet that are coming back to haunt him though. Old college friend Blake has asked for one more favor and Ryan just can’t say no.
However, fulfilling that favor opens the Pandora box of problems in his life and Ryan is worried that his perfect life is about to fall apart. He makes some frankly dumb choices and I wanted to shake some sense into him. There’s definitely more going on behind the scenes in this book and the author cleverly set it all up and it led to a perfectly wonderful conclusion.
This is my second David Bell book and I liked this one better than “Layover.” If you are OK suspending belief a bit, I think you might enjoy the ride of this one too! And next time, say no when someone asks you to do a favor!
This was a fun buddy read with Jayme, Marilyn, and Berit. Thank you to Edelweiss, David Bell, and Berkley for an early copy of this one to read.
4 It’s OK to say No stars
In this fast-paced thriller, we have Ryan, the man who seemingly has it all – a lovely wife and child at home – and a great job. He has some skeletons in his closet that are coming back to haunt him though. Old college friend Blake has asked for one more favor and Ryan just can’t say no.
However, fulfilling that favor opens the Pandora box of problems in his life and Ryan is worried that his perfect life is about to fall apart. He makes some frankly dumb choices and I wanted to shake some sense into him. There’s definitely more going on behind the scenes in this book and the author cleverly set it all up and it led to a perfectly wonderful conclusion.
This is my second David Bell book and I liked this one better than “Layover.” If you are OK suspending belief a bit, I think you might enjoy the ride of this one too! And next time, say no when someone asks you to do a favor!
This was a fun buddy read with Jayme, Marilyn, and Berit. Thank you to Edelweiss, David Bell, and Berkley for an early copy of this one to read.
July 1, 2020
Ryan seems to have the perfect life, but he has a dark secret. To keep his secret, he ends up breaking into a woman's house. An old friend needs some items retrieved from the woman's home, but Ryan discovers a dead woman instead of the items his friend needed. Ryan isn't sure why his old friend would set him up for murder, but Ryan is determined to keep him and his family safe.
A complex mystery involving a man that wants to maintain the image of his perfect life. Ryan has made bad decisions in his past, and he continues to make questionable decisions throughout the novel. He isn't the only one making mistakes though, and it makes for a fast-paced and entertaining thriller.
A fun mystery thriller. Fans of David Bell's other novels will surely enjoy his latest book. Exciting and twisty.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A complex mystery involving a man that wants to maintain the image of his perfect life. Ryan has made bad decisions in his past, and he continues to make questionable decisions throughout the novel. He isn't the only one making mistakes though, and it makes for a fast-paced and entertaining thriller.
A fun mystery thriller. Fans of David Bell's other novels will surely enjoy his latest book. Exciting and twisty.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2021
Second book in a row by Bell that just didn't do it for me. Here are the reasons why:
1. "The Accident" Oh my word, how many times did they have to talk about the accident? Rehashing and hiding information and being worried the information would come out...the incident at the beginning with Dawn just went nowhere, it was silly when the real reason for her actions came out. And overall it had zero to do with the plot. And I spent the absolute entire book shaking my head--there is no way after all this time that anything could have been done to change the police findings about who was driving. The say-so of drunk passengers? I didn't buy it at all that it would have made ANY difference in things if Blake would have told the police Ryan was driving. You can't even get the police to re-open a conviction with new DNA evidence, why would they even have listened to Blake? Why was Ryan so petrified (I know, he didn't want his wife to know)?
2. The dialogue. So incredibly slow paced and plodding. Very choppy and cheesy. These are not direct quotes but here's how many of the conversations go:
Police: "Do you think your wife could have hacked the computer?"
Ryan: "Amanda my wife you mean? She doesn't know anything about computers! How dare you think she would?"
Police: "Yes your wife Amanda. You don't think she would have been able to figure out the computer? Where did she work before she quit work to have a baby? For a place where she used computers a lot?
Ryan: "Amanda did work for a place where she used to use computers a lot. I don't know if she would have been able to figure it out. Maybe she had a friend who could have helped her. There was that one guy Steve she used to work with who was good with computers. Maybe he helped because he had a crush on her."
Police: "Steve the guy who worked in IT at your wife Amanda's former company? Do you know his last name or his phone number?"
Ryan :" Yes I think Steve is his name. Amanda might be going back to work when the baby gets a little bit older. She might go back to that same company where Steve works. I might be able to find Steve's phone number to see if he might know where my wife Amanda might be or if she might know anything about computers, but I don't think she does"
Sorry, I know that was long but I was having fun. That's exactly how tedious the writing is though.
3. It's very obvious from the beginning who the ultimate culprit is and it's underwhelming when all is revealed.
This book took me way, way too long to get through and I kept avoiding reading it because it was so slow. Overall, unless you just have a lot of time on your hands or can really suspend a lot of disbelief, maybe give this one a skip. As I have liked Bell's books in the past, maybe I will like the next one more.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
1. "The Accident" Oh my word, how many times did they have to talk about the accident? Rehashing and hiding information and being worried the information would come out...the incident at the beginning with Dawn just went nowhere, it was silly when the real reason for her actions came out. And overall it had zero to do with the plot. And I spent the absolute entire book shaking my head--there is no way after all this time that anything could have been done to change the police findings about who was driving. The say-so of drunk passengers? I didn't buy it at all that it would have made ANY difference in things if Blake would have told the police Ryan was driving. You can't even get the police to re-open a conviction with new DNA evidence, why would they even have listened to Blake? Why was Ryan so petrified (I know, he didn't want his wife to know)?
2. The dialogue. So incredibly slow paced and plodding. Very choppy and cheesy. These are not direct quotes but here's how many of the conversations go:
Police: "Do you think your wife could have hacked the computer?"
Ryan: "Amanda my wife you mean? She doesn't know anything about computers! How dare you think she would?"
Police: "Yes your wife Amanda. You don't think she would have been able to figure out the computer? Where did she work before she quit work to have a baby? For a place where she used computers a lot?
Ryan: "Amanda did work for a place where she used to use computers a lot. I don't know if she would have been able to figure it out. Maybe she had a friend who could have helped her. There was that one guy Steve she used to work with who was good with computers. Maybe he helped because he had a crush on her."
Police: "Steve the guy who worked in IT at your wife Amanda's former company? Do you know his last name or his phone number?"
Ryan :" Yes I think Steve is his name. Amanda might be going back to work when the baby gets a little bit older. She might go back to that same company where Steve works. I might be able to find Steve's phone number to see if he might know where my wife Amanda might be or if she might know anything about computers, but I don't think she does"
Sorry, I know that was long but I was having fun. That's exactly how tedious the writing is though.
3. It's very obvious from the beginning who the ultimate culprit is and it's underwhelming when all is revealed.
This book took me way, way too long to get through and I kept avoiding reading it because it was so slow. Overall, unless you just have a lot of time on your hands or can really suspend a lot of disbelief, maybe give this one a skip. As I have liked Bell's books in the past, maybe I will like the next one more.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
June 30, 2020
Everyone wants something from Ryan.
One wants money, one wants his time, and the worst request is from his friend, Blake.
After he is forced into following through on the request, things became even worse.
We follow Ryan as he avoids the police and looks for Blake who is no where to be found and as Ryan tries to find the person who murdered a friend of Blake's.
Many bizarre things happen, lies come to the surface, and Ryan's family is in danger. What hold could Blake have had over Ryan to keep him under his thumb.
I wanted to tell Ryan to wake up and stop listening to Blake.
Tension abounds from the opening page and doesn’t stop until you turn the last page. You can just feel something sinister is going on from the start.
Mr. Bell knows how to keep up your blood pressure and keep you turning the pages.
THE REQUEST is a thriller fan's smorgasbord.
Mr. Bell included everything you need to keep you on the edge of your seat, keep you up late, and keep you guessing incorrectly. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
One wants money, one wants his time, and the worst request is from his friend, Blake.
After he is forced into following through on the request, things became even worse.
We follow Ryan as he avoids the police and looks for Blake who is no where to be found and as Ryan tries to find the person who murdered a friend of Blake's.
Many bizarre things happen, lies come to the surface, and Ryan's family is in danger. What hold could Blake have had over Ryan to keep him under his thumb.
I wanted to tell Ryan to wake up and stop listening to Blake.
Tension abounds from the opening page and doesn’t stop until you turn the last page. You can just feel something sinister is going on from the start.
Mr. Bell knows how to keep up your blood pressure and keep you turning the pages.
THE REQUEST is a thriller fan's smorgasbord.
Mr. Bell included everything you need to keep you on the edge of your seat, keep you up late, and keep you guessing incorrectly. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 16, 2020
Oh my goodness, this was a terrific read that I really enjoyed. I am always on the look out for thrillers that quickly grabs my attention from the very first page, with characters that seem to get in deeper trouble, and of course with some twists to keep you guessing and those adrenaline pumping. David Bell delivered another amazing thriller in The Request.
Ryan Francis is guilt ridden and trying to make things right with a family involved in a car accident that Ryan was a part of, where one of the daughters died, and another left disabled. He anonymously leaves an envelope with money for the family every month. He is happily married, has a son, partner at a bar. He seems to be doing okay until recent events cause things to spiral out of control. His friend Blake asks for a favor, the request, which is simple enough until he gets framed for murder.
Bell wrote a real fast paced thriller that was entertaining and addicting. I thought the writing was superb and had me guessing and talking loudly to some of the characters. I was really immersed in this engrossing and relevant read about the power of social media and the way it seeps through our lives. I love a great thriller that I can binge read with protagonists that were in impossible situations.
I encourage you to pick up David Bell’s The Request for an enthralling and binge worthy read worth staying up for.
Ryan Francis is guilt ridden and trying to make things right with a family involved in a car accident that Ryan was a part of, where one of the daughters died, and another left disabled. He anonymously leaves an envelope with money for the family every month. He is happily married, has a son, partner at a bar. He seems to be doing okay until recent events cause things to spiral out of control. His friend Blake asks for a favor, the request, which is simple enough until he gets framed for murder.
Bell wrote a real fast paced thriller that was entertaining and addicting. I thought the writing was superb and had me guessing and talking loudly to some of the characters. I was really immersed in this engrossing and relevant read about the power of social media and the way it seeps through our lives. I love a great thriller that I can binge read with protagonists that were in impossible situations.
I encourage you to pick up David Bell’s The Request for an enthralling and binge worthy read worth staying up for.
dnf
June 14, 2020.......and another one bites the dust!!! sadly.....quitting at 20%
May 13, 2020
This book is one you must add to your reading list this summer. It was so worth the read and just wait until the ending. Oh boy are you in for a big treat. Don't miss Bell's must summer read.
I gave this book 4 stars and I can't wait to hear what you think of it after you read it.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
I gave this book 4 stars and I can't wait to hear what you think of it after you read it.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
November 21, 2020
I am already a huge fan of David Bell books having liked Since she went away and Bring her home. I loved this book it kept my attention the whole way through. I loved the way it involved social media and I could connect with the characters. It’s a book about loyalty and how much you can trust your friends.
March 29, 2020
This is my 9th book by David Bell and I am always excited when he comes out with a new book. When I got approved from NetGalley to get this book, I was even more excited to get started reading! This book kept me on the edge of my seat with a few twists and turns throughout. Wow, what an ending!!!! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
March 28, 2020
David Bell is a pretty good thriller writer and a generally nice guy to boot. Subsequently I’ve read just about all of his books. The quality is somewhat uneven, sometimes a lot uneven, but usually it’s decent enough to be worth the time. So much so, I requested The Request without even reading a plot summary, checking page count and all those things I normally do prior to trying a book off of Netgalley. And this is when the uneven thing comes in, because this one was definitely the bottom of Bell’s barrel quality wise. A sort of a book one writes for money. Bland, trite, uninspired with a barely there plot and predictable plot twists. And too long on top of it all. And easy read, for sure, not just because it isn’t challenging intellectually in any way, but also basic structure of it all, short words, short sentences, short chapters with something of a soap opera like ta da at the end of each chapter trying to make this seem like a way more exciting story than it actually is. Time for some specifics…specifically the plot, the wartime soup of a plot as in barely any substance severely watered down sort of thing. Meet your protagonist, a basically nice guy with a guilty conscience. Pushing 30, nice life, nice wife, nice kid, nice job. Too much at stake to throw away if the truth about why his conscience has been so heavy for the last six years was to suddenly come out. Meet his old college buddy, a superficially charming fellow who’s finally ready to settle down, but wants to sweep a few past mistakes under the proverbial rug before he ties the knot. The buddy has just one request, to steal some letters from an old flame, but the flame turns out dead and things spiral out. Not too much spiraling, because it isn’t that clever of a story and it only has a couple of days to wrap itself up. Just enough so that everyone makes much ado about something and spins their wheels and stretches out the silly see through thin suspense for enough pages to make it seem like a proper book. Frustratingly basic really, the fruit on this one is practically reclining in the soil below the tree while still somehow attached to the branches. This book might pay author’s bills, but that’s about all it’s good for. All the more so because it’s written by someone who has demonstrated himself to have much more potential and talent than this. For how many of similar types of books are out there, this isn’t even worthy of a notice. Maybe for someone with really low expectations and really indiscriminate tastes. Otherwise it’s almost insulting to the readers’ intelligence how lame this plot is. Disappointing, so very disappointing. And to think I was excited to read this too, tried to stay away from these ever ubiquitous thrillers until something promising showed up and this one certainly didn’t do the trick. Don’t let it put you off Bell’s other books and don’t judge his work based on this one. Just call a dud a dud and pass. At least it read quickly. Thanks Netgalley.
June 25, 2020
I usually love David Bell’s work but this missed the mark for me. It was predictable and too over the top for me. It started off great but halfway through I was losing interest and the dialogue between the characters was stilted. Not his best in my opinion.
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2020
I’ve been turning to my most trusted authors lately when I decide what to read next and I’ve been a fan of DB for awhile now because he writes the most entertaining, fast paced thrillers. I’m such a sucker for short chapters, they make for the best binge reads and The Request has all of that and more. I loved that this explored the power of social media and how it effects all of our lives, such a timely and relevant topic that we can all relate to. I always say DB is the best at putting very ordinary characters into complex and extraordinary situations and the protagonist here finds himself in quite the predicament but that’s all I’ll say 🤐 This one is out this June, but in the meantime two of my favorite DB books are Bring Her Home and Somebody’s Daughter if you’re in the mood for a pacey, fun thriller!
April 14, 2020
If Bell writes it, I'm going to read it! His short chapters and writing style lead to the perfect binge reads. The Request is definitely a binge worthy read and easy to fly through so if you're looking forward to a thriller to fly through, this is a good one to add to your TBR.
Now, I've read several Bell books and they have ranked across the board for me... as expected when you read quite a few from the same author. This one I am torn with. It started strong and pulled me in immediately though I wanted to yell at Ryan to just freakin' talk to his wife about it all! *insert scream* But hey, without all these flawed characters, we wouldn't have such fun reads now would we? *wink* Consider if one of your closest friends whom you shared a terrible secret with, asks you to do them a solid... you probably would do it right? No matter how insane and weird it seemed? Wouldn't you? Yes, no? Well say you choose yes - Ryan did and it probably wasn't his wisest choice.
The thing with this story is that while I enjoyed the pacing and unfolding of secrets, it got a bit convoluted at the end. It was predictable in some parts and other parts, while not *too* predictable, felt a bit unnecessary. Sometimes that added oomph really isn't needed to keep the story engaging. There was also the underlying lesson of social media and the all to transparent world of ours that we put out there... that while fun, can be a detriment if anyone wants to use it against you.
Bell is a favorite author and I love how he pulls readers right in. Thriller lovers should absolutely read his novels. I've read several and while they cross the spectrum, they are all engaging and quite entertaining and I'll continue to read anything he puts out for us.
Now, I've read several Bell books and they have ranked across the board for me... as expected when you read quite a few from the same author. This one I am torn with. It started strong and pulled me in immediately though I wanted to yell at Ryan to just freakin' talk to his wife about it all! *insert scream* But hey, without all these flawed characters, we wouldn't have such fun reads now would we? *wink* Consider if one of your closest friends whom you shared a terrible secret with, asks you to do them a solid... you probably would do it right? No matter how insane and weird it seemed? Wouldn't you? Yes, no? Well say you choose yes - Ryan did and it probably wasn't his wisest choice.
The thing with this story is that while I enjoyed the pacing and unfolding of secrets, it got a bit convoluted at the end. It was predictable in some parts and other parts, while not *too* predictable, felt a bit unnecessary. Sometimes that added oomph really isn't needed to keep the story engaging. There was also the underlying lesson of social media and the all to transparent world of ours that we put out there... that while fun, can be a detriment if anyone wants to use it against you.
Bell is a favorite author and I love how he pulls readers right in. Thriller lovers should absolutely read his novels. I've read several and while they cross the spectrum, they are all engaging and quite entertaining and I'll continue to read anything he puts out for us.
Read
July 14, 2020DNF 52% - I have no clue whats happening and I cannot get myself to pay attention. Moving on.
September 14, 2020
WOW you guys! The Request by David Bell is a fast-paced, suspenseful thriller that will keep you guessing, and I really mean that! It was nonstop action the entire time, and I was absolutely GLUED to the audio. Tristan Morris is the narrator and I thought he did a fine job, he sounded like I thought Ryan would which was also a bonus. Ryan was a bit of a frustrating character (go figure), but I enjoyed his viewpoint and spent the entire book wondering what would happen and how everything would be tied together. This was a binge-read and definitely something you can read in one day. I listened to almost all of the audio in one because once I started I was hooked.
I love Bell's writing style and The Request is jam-packed full of twists and turns. I can't say I loved any of the characters all that much, but that didn't affect my enjoyment of the book, and I loved how entertaining it was. There are many times I laughed out loud at something, and I always appreciate when an author can make me laugh during a thriller.
I don't want to say a whole lot about the book because I think it would be a great one to go into mostly blind, but you won't go wrong either reading it or doing the audio. There are tons of really short chapters which was a major plus for me, and The Request is a great getaway from everyday life! I can't wait to read more from Bell and plan on getting to others of his very soon.
Thank you to Get Red PR and the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
I love Bell's writing style and The Request is jam-packed full of twists and turns. I can't say I loved any of the characters all that much, but that didn't affect my enjoyment of the book, and I loved how entertaining it was. There are many times I laughed out loud at something, and I always appreciate when an author can make me laugh during a thriller.
I don't want to say a whole lot about the book because I think it would be a great one to go into mostly blind, but you won't go wrong either reading it or doing the audio. There are tons of really short chapters which was a major plus for me, and The Request is a great getaway from everyday life! I can't wait to read more from Bell and plan on getting to others of his very soon.
Thank you to Get Red PR and the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
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