The Year I Died Seven Times

by Eric Beetner

Deaths = 7 Body count = 1 Well, okay, there were more bodies than that once the year was over. But for me, I wasn't going to let a little thing like death stop me from finding out what happened to the girl of my dreams. * * * * * In this one-of-a-kind novel, amateur investigator Ridley tests the limits of what a man will go through for true love. With the help of trained assassins and a stoner best friend, Ridley is thrown head-first into a dark world of drugs, kidnapping and violence. As a detective, he's not the best. Not even close. But Ridley is determined to find his girl -- or die trying. * * * * * Praise for THE YEAR I DIED SEVEN "... another excellent title from Beetner" - Crimespree Magazine "A fast paced story with enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged until the end." - Spinetingler Magazine "This one is a blast. If you don't mind the occasional gore, creeps, sickos, and broken furniture, The Year I Died Seven Times is a really fun ride." - Criminal Element

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 7, 2014

About the author

BIO:
Eric Beetner has been hailed as “the new maestro of noir,” by Ken Bruen and “The 21st Century’s answer to Jim Thompson” by LitReactor.
He has written more than 2 dozen novels and his short stories has been featured in over 30 anthologies and along the way he’s been nominated for an ITW award, a Shamus, Derringer and three Anthony awards. He’s won none of them.
Novels include There and Back, All The Way Down, Two In The Head, Rumrunners, The Devil Doesn't Want Me and many more.
For more visit ericbeetner.com

Reviews

[Brandon Nagel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A non stop, violent, hilarious, sometimes unbelievable, but thrilling and fun read from one of the best guys writing crime fiction today. I love all of his stuff and am picking up Rumrunners today. Read it.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Poppy Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, exciting, with romantic possibilities, and a protagonist with a really interesting back story - this is a refreshingly different kind of crime novel. I especially liked the main character Ridley Allen. He is an unusual hero because he is not very good at things - he can't fight very well, the bad guys outsmart him, but he's determined to solve the mystery and save the girl. I was laughing out loud at the fight scenes in particular. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Michelle Isler · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is here! We are able to enjoy the seven deaths of FBI applicant, Ridley Allen, in one complete package. Leave it to Eric Beetner to come up with an exciting and smart way to keep you on the edge of your seat. The Year I Died Seven Times was released one chapter at a time, last year. Each chapter left you with a cliffhanger and you had to wait until the next month to see what happened to Ridley Allen. Here is your chance to have it all in one book. It was fun and suspenseful. This book is packed with everything from brutal violence to hilarious situations. Ridley Allen takes his final breath seven times as he tries to find his beautiful, missing girlfriend, Miho. He follows her from Los Angeles to New York and back.

The book begins with a claustrophobic scene with Ridley trapped in the trunk of a car and it is, rapidly, filling with water. The first of seven deaths is definitely a terrifying way to die. Only Beetner can may you laugh with the snarky thoughts that race through Ridley's brain as he is ready to see the light. Just as he draws his last breath he tells us, the readers, how he got himself in this situation.We visit underground Japanese clubs. We are introduced to really bad guys who have no problem with cutting off body parts, knocking teeth out with hammers, or hanging men from pipes as they electrocute them to death. We even get to be part of battle with a ninja. Honestly, this book is packed with action. The constant comments that Ridley throws out in some of the most heated scenes have you laughing out loud.

Once again, Eric Beetner has you laughing and biting your nails at the same time. What a fun and smart book. I highly recommend you grab this book and jump into a full blown adventure. You will not be disappointed. Snag it and enjoy!

[Isabel Maria Matias Baeta Marques · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice book, well written, smart and funny... but it did not entertain me as much as it promised and I grew bored of it very soon. All the while I felt the author was trying for it to make the movies and that kind of writing is very annoying.

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh

The premise was interesting but the overall story was a bit flat. The motivation driving the main character wasn't very compelling and reading about him dying numerous times got to be a bit tedious.

[Shelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful! Terrible dialogue, an unsympathetic main character because he's too stupid to be believed. To top it off, plot holes you could drive a semi through. Save your time for anything else.