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Find Your First
Tech millionaire Miles Cookson has more money than he can ever spend, and everything he could dream of—except time. He has recently been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and there is a fifty percent chance that it can be passed on to the next generation. For Miles, this means taking a long hard look at his past . . .
Two decades ago, a young, struggling Miles was a sperm donor. Somewhere out there, he has kids—nine of them. And they might be about to inherit both the good and the bad from him—maybe his fortune, or maybe something much worse.
As Miles begins to search for the children he’s never known, aspiring film documentarian Chloe Swanson embarks on a quest to find her biological father, armed with the knowledge that twenty-two years ago, her mother used a New York sperm bank to become pregnant.
When Miles and Chloe eventually connect, their excitement at finding each other is overshadowed by a series of mysterious and terrifying events. One by one, Miles’s other potential heirs are vanishing—every trace of them wiped, like they never existed at all.
Who is the vicious killer—another heir methodically erasing rivals? Or is something even more sinister going on?
It’s a deadly race against time . . .
Two decades ago, a young, struggling Miles was a sperm donor. Somewhere out there, he has kids—nine of them. And they might be about to inherit both the good and the bad from him—maybe his fortune, or maybe something much worse.
As Miles begins to search for the children he’s never known, aspiring film documentarian Chloe Swanson embarks on a quest to find her biological father, armed with the knowledge that twenty-two years ago, her mother used a New York sperm bank to become pregnant.
When Miles and Chloe eventually connect, their excitement at finding each other is overshadowed by a series of mysterious and terrifying events. One by one, Miles’s other potential heirs are vanishing—every trace of them wiped, like they never existed at all.
Who is the vicious killer—another heir methodically erasing rivals? Or is something even more sinister going on?
It’s a deadly race against time . . .
438 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2021
1285 people are currently reading
22551 people want to read
About the author
Linwood Barclay
83 books7,197 followersLinwood Barclay is the #1 internationally bestselling author of seventeen novels for adults, including No Time for Goodbye, Trust Your Eyes and, most recently, A Noise Downstairs. He has also written two novels for children and screenplays.
Three of those seventeen novels comprise the epic Promise Falls trilogy: Broken Promise, Far From True, and The Twenty-Three. His two novels for children – Chase and Escape – star a computer-enhanced dog named Chipper who’s on the run from the evil organization that turned him into a super-pup.
Barclay’s 2011 thriller, The Accident, has been turned into the six-part television series L’Accident in France, and he adapted his novel Never Saw it Coming for the movie, directed by Gail Harvey and starring Eric Roberts and Emily Hampshire. Several of his other books either have been, or still are, in development for TV and film.
After spending his formative years helping run a cottage resort and trailer park after his father died when he was 16, Barclay got his first newspaper job at the Peterborough Examiner, a small Ontario daily. In 1981, he joined the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest circulation newspaper.
He held such positions as assistant city editor, chief copy editor, news editor, and Life section editor, before becoming the paper’s humour columnist in 1993. He was one of the paper’s most popular columnists before retiring from the position in 2008 to work exclusively on books.
In 2004, he launched his mystery series about an anxiety-ridden, know-it-all, pain-in-the-butt father by the name of Zack Walker. Bad Move, the first book, was followed by three more Zack Walker thrillers: Bad Guys, Lone Wolf, and Stone Rain. (The last two were published in the UK under the titles Bad Luck and Bad News.)
His first standalone thriller, No Time for Goodbye, was published in 2007 to critical acclaim and great international success. The following year, it was a Richard and Judy Summer Read selection in the UK, and did seven straight weeks at #1 on the UK bestseller list, and finished 2008 as the top selling novel of the year there. The book has since been sold around the world and been translated into nearly thirty languages.
Barclay was born in the United States but moved to Canada just before turning four years old when his father, a commercial artist whose illustrations of cars appeared in Life, Look and Saturday Evening Post (before photography took over), accepted a position with an advertising agency north of the border. Barclay, who graduated with an English literature degree from Trent University, in Peterborough, Ontario, was fortunate to have some very fine mentors; in particular, the celebrated Canadian author Margaret Laurence, whom Linwood first met when she served as writer-in-residence at Trent, and Kenneth Millar, who, under the name Ross Macdonald, wrote the acclaimed series of mystery novels featuring detective Lew Archer. It was at Trent that he met Neetha, the woman who would become his wife. They have two grown children, Spencer and Paige.
Three of those seventeen novels comprise the epic Promise Falls trilogy: Broken Promise, Far From True, and The Twenty-Three. His two novels for children – Chase and Escape – star a computer-enhanced dog named Chipper who’s on the run from the evil organization that turned him into a super-pup.
Barclay’s 2011 thriller, The Accident, has been turned into the six-part television series L’Accident in France, and he adapted his novel Never Saw it Coming for the movie, directed by Gail Harvey and starring Eric Roberts and Emily Hampshire. Several of his other books either have been, or still are, in development for TV and film.
After spending his formative years helping run a cottage resort and trailer park after his father died when he was 16, Barclay got his first newspaper job at the Peterborough Examiner, a small Ontario daily. In 1981, he joined the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest circulation newspaper.
He held such positions as assistant city editor, chief copy editor, news editor, and Life section editor, before becoming the paper’s humour columnist in 1993. He was one of the paper’s most popular columnists before retiring from the position in 2008 to work exclusively on books.
In 2004, he launched his mystery series about an anxiety-ridden, know-it-all, pain-in-the-butt father by the name of Zack Walker. Bad Move, the first book, was followed by three more Zack Walker thrillers: Bad Guys, Lone Wolf, and Stone Rain. (The last two were published in the UK under the titles Bad Luck and Bad News.)
His first standalone thriller, No Time for Goodbye, was published in 2007 to critical acclaim and great international success. The following year, it was a Richard and Judy Summer Read selection in the UK, and did seven straight weeks at #1 on the UK bestseller list, and finished 2008 as the top selling novel of the year there. The book has since been sold around the world and been translated into nearly thirty languages.
Barclay was born in the United States but moved to Canada just before turning four years old when his father, a commercial artist whose illustrations of cars appeared in Life, Look and Saturday Evening Post (before photography took over), accepted a position with an advertising agency north of the border. Barclay, who graduated with an English literature degree from Trent University, in Peterborough, Ontario, was fortunate to have some very fine mentors; in particular, the celebrated Canadian author Margaret Laurence, whom Linwood first met when she served as writer-in-residence at Trent, and Kenneth Millar, who, under the name Ross Macdonald, wrote the acclaimed series of mystery novels featuring detective Lew Archer. It was at Trent that he met Neetha, the woman who would become his wife. They have two grown children, Spencer and Paige.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,460 reviews
July 26, 2022
Find You First by Linwood Barclay
This is my first book by Linwood Barclay and now that I've read this one, I'm going to go back and look at his other work. Find You First is a wild ride of deception, greed, depravity, and for wealthy Miles Cookson, a time for quick reflection before his untimely death. As he makes efforts to make his final arrangements, someone else is getting there first.
Miles, in his early 40's, has just learned he has Huntingdon's Disease, a disease that will be passed on to 50% of his offspring. Twenty years ago, Miles was a sperm donor and now that Miles knows his diagnosis, he's in a race against time to find his offspring, warn them of their chances of Huntington's Disease and spread his money amongst the nine young people, so they can make use of it, even before he dies. But just as Miles is attempting to make contact with these nine, several of them disappear under similar disturbing circumstances.
Miles first makes contact with his daughter Chloe and Miles and Chloe make a smart, funny, and ready to make up for lost time, father/daughter team. At the same time that we are following Miles and Chloe, we are also following the assassins that have been hired to kill all nine of Miles' children. There are only a few people who know of Mile's interest in these nine young adults and possibly there is a leak from inside his company.
There are some heidous characters in this story and so many horrible things take place or have taken place. But there is humor too and I found some favorite characters in a few of the bit players, especially Mile's limo driver Charice. We all need a Charice in our lives, to have our back, and to give our enemies a good thumping.
Pub date: May 4th 2021
Thank you to William Morrow and Custom House and NetGalley for this ARC.
This is my first book by Linwood Barclay and now that I've read this one, I'm going to go back and look at his other work. Find You First is a wild ride of deception, greed, depravity, and for wealthy Miles Cookson, a time for quick reflection before his untimely death. As he makes efforts to make his final arrangements, someone else is getting there first.
Miles, in his early 40's, has just learned he has Huntingdon's Disease, a disease that will be passed on to 50% of his offspring. Twenty years ago, Miles was a sperm donor and now that Miles knows his diagnosis, he's in a race against time to find his offspring, warn them of their chances of Huntington's Disease and spread his money amongst the nine young people, so they can make use of it, even before he dies. But just as Miles is attempting to make contact with these nine, several of them disappear under similar disturbing circumstances.
Miles first makes contact with his daughter Chloe and Miles and Chloe make a smart, funny, and ready to make up for lost time, father/daughter team. At the same time that we are following Miles and Chloe, we are also following the assassins that have been hired to kill all nine of Miles' children. There are only a few people who know of Mile's interest in these nine young adults and possibly there is a leak from inside his company.
There are some heidous characters in this story and so many horrible things take place or have taken place. But there is humor too and I found some favorite characters in a few of the bit players, especially Mile's limo driver Charice. We all need a Charice in our lives, to have our back, and to give our enemies a good thumping.
Pub date: May 4th 2021
Thank you to William Morrow and Custom House and NetGalley for this ARC.
December 13, 2020
After some dark reads, Linwood Barclay's latest crime thriller was just what I needed, it is entertaining, fast paced, and exciting storytelling that had me immersed from start to finish. Tech billionaire Miles Cookson hasn't always lived the life of the wealthy and privileged, before he made it big, he made a sperm donation at a fertility clinic for much needed cash. He has just received the unwelcome and terrifying news that he has Huntingdon's disease, whilst it is difficult to chart its exact trajectory, it will mean his health will be deteriorating considerably and there is nothing his money can do to prevent it. Miles wonders what to do about his money and business, he loves his brother Gilbert, but not so keen on Gilbert's wife, Caroline, reluctant that she should benefit from his wealth.
Miles remembers his sperm donation, wondering how many kids he has, he feels obligated to inform them of the disease that they might inherit and provide them with the funds for them to deal with it. Although it is not ethical, he gets his hand on the list of his genetic children, of which there are nine, scattered throughout the country. Having made up his mind to distribute the majority of his wealth to his children, for obvious reasons, there are some people who are not happy, like Gilbert. 22 year old Chloe Swanson is a waitress and aspiring film documentary maker, making a film about her 90 year old maternal grandfather and other elderly people about the lives they have lived. She wants to know more about where she came from, having come across a half brother she didn't know about, Todd, although her mom is reluctant for her to pursue this need. Chloe is the first of his children that Miles meets, and a visit to Todd's home reveals he has disappeared in strange, sinister, and suspicious circumstances, and he is not alone, one by one, Miles's children appear to be dying or disappearing without trace.
As always, Linwood Barclay writes a riveting and compulsive thriller that had me turning the pages as fast as possible. Granted that you might have to suspend your sense of disbelief, although so many odd things happen in the world, perhaps it might not be so far fetched. Miles makes for a great protagonist, along with Chloe, a feisty, determined and independently minded young woman, who Miles wants to protect from the fate that some of his other children have met, as the two of them try to take on the dangerous task of finding out what is going on. This is a enjoyable and engaging read, with some great good guys and some terrific villains, a thriller that I think will appeal to many crime and mystery readers. Many thanks to HQ for an ARC.
Miles remembers his sperm donation, wondering how many kids he has, he feels obligated to inform them of the disease that they might inherit and provide them with the funds for them to deal with it. Although it is not ethical, he gets his hand on the list of his genetic children, of which there are nine, scattered throughout the country. Having made up his mind to distribute the majority of his wealth to his children, for obvious reasons, there are some people who are not happy, like Gilbert. 22 year old Chloe Swanson is a waitress and aspiring film documentary maker, making a film about her 90 year old maternal grandfather and other elderly people about the lives they have lived. She wants to know more about where she came from, having come across a half brother she didn't know about, Todd, although her mom is reluctant for her to pursue this need. Chloe is the first of his children that Miles meets, and a visit to Todd's home reveals he has disappeared in strange, sinister, and suspicious circumstances, and he is not alone, one by one, Miles's children appear to be dying or disappearing without trace.
As always, Linwood Barclay writes a riveting and compulsive thriller that had me turning the pages as fast as possible. Granted that you might have to suspend your sense of disbelief, although so many odd things happen in the world, perhaps it might not be so far fetched. Miles makes for a great protagonist, along with Chloe, a feisty, determined and independently minded young woman, who Miles wants to protect from the fate that some of his other children have met, as the two of them try to take on the dangerous task of finding out what is going on. This is a enjoyable and engaging read, with some great good guys and some terrific villains, a thriller that I think will appeal to many crime and mystery readers. Many thanks to HQ for an ARC.
April 6, 2021
Once again Linwood Barclay nails it with an unputdownable thrill ride!
I have been reading this author’s books for years and I know I’m always guaranteed an exciting read when I pick up one of his books.
Miles Cookson just received devastating news. He has a terminal disease. Not even his millions of dollars he has earned in his tech company can save him. But maybe he can use his wealth to help others he may have inadvertently passed on his illness to. You see he has Huntington’s Disease, which is a genetic disorder. Offspring have a one in four chance of carrying the gene that will one day claim their lives.
Only Mikes never had children…at least the traditional way. But as a struggling young man, he did donate his sperm to a fertility clinic. Now he needs to track down his potential grown children to warn them and assist in helping pay for any care they may need.
Sounds simple right? But what if these ‘kids’ are vanishing before he can find them? Who else is tracking them….and why?
Linwood Barclay has the gift of pulling you into the story right from the beginning. Fasten your seat belt because you are about to be taken on one heck of a ride.
There are shocking moments and plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing!
If you’ve never read a book by this author…. What are you waiting for!? This would be a great one to start with. I’ve read them all…. so now I have to sit and wait for his next release! Finger poised over the request button!👆🏼🙏🏼
A buddy read with Susanne!
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to Sam Glatt, Scene of the Crime Early Read program, and William Morrow via Netgalley for an ARC to read and review.
I have been reading this author’s books for years and I know I’m always guaranteed an exciting read when I pick up one of his books.
Miles Cookson just received devastating news. He has a terminal disease. Not even his millions of dollars he has earned in his tech company can save him. But maybe he can use his wealth to help others he may have inadvertently passed on his illness to. You see he has Huntington’s Disease, which is a genetic disorder. Offspring have a one in four chance of carrying the gene that will one day claim their lives.
Only Mikes never had children…at least the traditional way. But as a struggling young man, he did donate his sperm to a fertility clinic. Now he needs to track down his potential grown children to warn them and assist in helping pay for any care they may need.
Sounds simple right? But what if these ‘kids’ are vanishing before he can find them? Who else is tracking them….and why?
Linwood Barclay has the gift of pulling you into the story right from the beginning. Fasten your seat belt because you are about to be taken on one heck of a ride.
There are shocking moments and plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing!
If you’ve never read a book by this author…. What are you waiting for!? This would be a great one to start with. I’ve read them all…. so now I have to sit and wait for his next release! Finger poised over the request button!👆🏼🙏🏼
A buddy read with Susanne!
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to Sam Glatt, Scene of the Crime Early Read program, and William Morrow via Netgalley for an ARC to read and review.
April 12, 2023
Finally a thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. The plot was unique; A dying millionaire who once upon a time donated his sperm, wants to find his children to give them money and the option to find out if they have Huntington like him. When one by one his children are attacked, the suspense never lets up.
This was an intelligent plot and I loved the main character. She was sassy, opinionated and I loved her view of the world. The relationship between her and the millionaire was sweet and the ending brought tears to my eyes. There was a big, fat twist that actually made sense, and that gave the remaining chapters extra fuel.
This was an intelligent plot and I loved the main character. She was sassy, opinionated and I loved her view of the world. The relationship between her and the millionaire was sweet and the ending brought tears to my eyes. There was a big, fat twist that actually made sense, and that gave the remaining chapters extra fuel.
May 4, 2021
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
*Review originally posted on mysteryandsuspense.com on 2/1/21. https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/fi...
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
I have been a fan of Linwood Barclay and his thrillers for years, but somehow fell off the bandwagon at some point. After jumping back on with last year’s Elevator Pitch, I was thrilled to read his latest.
Miles Cookson is, to put it mildly, a millionaire. He made his money in the world of tech and is extremely successful. He has everything he could ever want, and has just recently found out he has something he never wanted. Miles has been diagnosed with Huntingdon’s Disease, a terminal illness that will eventually eat away at his motor skills. On top of that, there is a fifty percent chance that the gene can be passed onto other members of the family.
Not many people know this, but before Miles was rich, he would supplement his income as a sperm donor. Through highly unethical resources, he finds out that he has nine children out in the world. Not only does he want to find them to have them get their DNA tested to see if they have the Huntingdon’s gene, but he also wants to start dividing his fortune out to them.
Chloe Swanson is an aspiring documentary filmmaker who is looking into her her biological father is. Through a DNA test, she finds out she has a half brother out there in the world. What she doesn’t yet know is that Miles is her biological father. They eventually meet up, but the excitement of finding each other is short lived. It seems as though some people don’t want Miles to connect to his children, and are doing anything necessary to eliminate the rest of them.
But, for what purpose?
You will have to read it to find out. There is a LOT going on in this suspenseful tale, but the less said is better. I was hooked from the start, and surprised that the book is told through multiple POVs and scenarios. Eventually, all of the stories connect to the main one. Some of them, I suspected. Others caught me by surprise.
The tension (and body count) rises as the story breezes its way to an ultimately satisfying - slightly cheesy - epilogue. There were moments where I had to suspend disbelief at the motives and actions of certain characters, but hey...it’s fiction.
While this may not be as riveting as Barclay’s earlier work (No Time for Goodbye or Never Look Away), it is an enjoyable, taut thriller that never lets up on the intrigue as it races to tie everything together.
Sincere thank you to William Morrow, who provided me with a widget of the ARC. This is set to be released May 4, 2021.
*Review originally posted on mysteryandsuspense.com on 2/1/21. https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/fi...
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
I have been a fan of Linwood Barclay and his thrillers for years, but somehow fell off the bandwagon at some point. After jumping back on with last year’s Elevator Pitch, I was thrilled to read his latest.
Miles Cookson is, to put it mildly, a millionaire. He made his money in the world of tech and is extremely successful. He has everything he could ever want, and has just recently found out he has something he never wanted. Miles has been diagnosed with Huntingdon’s Disease, a terminal illness that will eventually eat away at his motor skills. On top of that, there is a fifty percent chance that the gene can be passed onto other members of the family.
Not many people know this, but before Miles was rich, he would supplement his income as a sperm donor. Through highly unethical resources, he finds out that he has nine children out in the world. Not only does he want to find them to have them get their DNA tested to see if they have the Huntingdon’s gene, but he also wants to start dividing his fortune out to them.
Chloe Swanson is an aspiring documentary filmmaker who is looking into her her biological father is. Through a DNA test, she finds out she has a half brother out there in the world. What she doesn’t yet know is that Miles is her biological father. They eventually meet up, but the excitement of finding each other is short lived. It seems as though some people don’t want Miles to connect to his children, and are doing anything necessary to eliminate the rest of them.
But, for what purpose?
You will have to read it to find out. There is a LOT going on in this suspenseful tale, but the less said is better. I was hooked from the start, and surprised that the book is told through multiple POVs and scenarios. Eventually, all of the stories connect to the main one. Some of them, I suspected. Others caught me by surprise.
The tension (and body count) rises as the story breezes its way to an ultimately satisfying - slightly cheesy - epilogue. There were moments where I had to suspend disbelief at the motives and actions of certain characters, but hey...it’s fiction.
While this may not be as riveting as Barclay’s earlier work (No Time for Goodbye or Never Look Away), it is an enjoyable, taut thriller that never lets up on the intrigue as it races to tie everything together.
Sincere thank you to William Morrow, who provided me with a widget of the ARC. This is set to be released May 4, 2021.
August 3, 2022
Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 4/5 | Ending: OTT but what's new/5
SYNOPSIS
Tech millionaire Miles finds out he has Huntington's, a rare terminal illness with a 50% chance of being passed down to the next generation. Cue the panic: Miles finds out he has a gaggle of kids from a despo-for-cash sperm donation years ago. And when his heirs start getting picked off one-by-one, Miles has to figure out wassup while he still can.
MY OPINION
Ok so IYKYK, I'm not a big fan of male authors. They usually annoy the shit outta me by 1) writing about women as if they're only mounds of flesh 2) throwing in some CIA/underground mafia/KGB storyline in a crime book that takes place in Boise, Idaho. PLS SIR. Linwood Barclay is on the few exceptions; his male gaze is minimal, and he doesn't go too crazy with the John Wick subplots.
I really like his writing style: sharp prose, short chapters. I've read Take Your Breath Away and A Noise Downstairs which had their strengths, but kinda fell apart at the end and landed in 3-star territory. This book is my fave so far; in fact I hurried my ass out to the secondhand store and scored two more books of his. Just helping the economy ya know.
AnywayZZZ let's talk about the book. I should add that if you are adopted or your parent(s) used a sperm donor, you may feel very differently about this story as you're coming at it through a different lens. For me, I thought the premise was interesting; I'm always curious about sperm donor because personally I couldn't live knowing that I my DNA may be walking and talking on this earth unbeknownst to me.
Maybe this is common knowledge but it's clear that Barclay was inspired by Jeffrey Epstein when writing Jeremy Pritkin LOL. The parallels are hard to miss but entertaining. In his other books that I read, I felt he included too many unnecessary POVs, but in this case I actually enjoyed the lil background stories into Miles' kids. I thought he did a good job exploring the father-daughter relationship with Chloe and Miles was a well-developed character with a clear redemption arc.
All in all, an enjoyable read. I was hankering for this one, so I'm glad it didn't let me know. Excited to read more from Barclay.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: well-written, interesting and layered plot, developed and distinct characters, juicy ass premise
Cons: could be offensive to individuals who are adopted or their parent(s) used a sperm donor so proceed with caution if this applies to you, ending was doing thee most but what's new boo
SYNOPSIS
Tech millionaire Miles finds out he has Huntington's, a rare terminal illness with a 50% chance of being passed down to the next generation. Cue the panic: Miles finds out he has a gaggle of kids from a despo-for-cash sperm donation years ago. And when his heirs start getting picked off one-by-one, Miles has to figure out wassup while he still can.
MY OPINION
Ok so IYKYK, I'm not a big fan of male authors. They usually annoy the shit outta me by 1) writing about women as if they're only mounds of flesh 2) throwing in some CIA/underground mafia/KGB storyline in a crime book that takes place in Boise, Idaho. PLS SIR. Linwood Barclay is on the few exceptions; his male gaze is minimal, and he doesn't go too crazy with the John Wick subplots.
I really like his writing style: sharp prose, short chapters. I've read Take Your Breath Away and A Noise Downstairs which had their strengths, but kinda fell apart at the end and landed in 3-star territory. This book is my fave so far; in fact I hurried my ass out to the secondhand store and scored two more books of his. Just helping the economy ya know.
AnywayZZZ let's talk about the book. I should add that if you are adopted or your parent(s) used a sperm donor, you may feel very differently about this story as you're coming at it through a different lens. For me, I thought the premise was interesting; I'm always curious about sperm donor because personally I couldn't live knowing that I my DNA may be walking and talking on this earth unbeknownst to me.
Maybe this is common knowledge but it's clear that Barclay was inspired by Jeffrey Epstein when writing Jeremy Pritkin LOL. The parallels are hard to miss but entertaining. In his other books that I read, I felt he included too many unnecessary POVs, but in this case I actually enjoyed the lil background stories into Miles' kids. I thought he did a good job exploring the father-daughter relationship with Chloe and Miles was a well-developed character with a clear redemption arc.
All in all, an enjoyable read. I was hankering for this one, so I'm glad it didn't let me know. Excited to read more from Barclay.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: well-written, interesting and layered plot, developed and distinct characters, juicy ass premise
Cons: could be offensive to individuals who are adopted or their parent(s) used a sperm donor so proceed with caution if this applies to you, ending was doing thee most but what's new boo
November 15, 2021
1 star (barely) — I thought I would give Linwood Barclay 1 more try after really disliking his last book, but unfortunately “Find You First” drove home the point that Linwood Barclay’s books are not for me. I will say that the plots of all three books I have read by him are fast paced but that is about the only nice thing I can say about two out of three of them ( including this book). “Find you First” might be the most contrived and ridiculous plot ever created. From start to finish you have to leave your brain in another room in order to believe that any part of this plot is realistic. I knew I should have quit reading at the very first when the novel begins with multi-millionaire Miles finds out he is dying and decides to divide all his millions between the children he fathered as a sperm donor at the local sperm bank. The book went downhill from there with multiple unrealistic storylines converging together again and again which caused me to rate this one as the worst book I have read since “The Little Friend” by Donna Tartt or Harlan Coben’s “Boy in the Woods”.I think the author himself knew he had crossed the line into telling a stupid fairy tale when at the end of the book (after another fetched convergence of characters) the author has two of the hitmen who are working for different people for different reasons to kill/set up the same person meet each other and when they discovered this coincidence justify it by saying “small world”. Obviously I was not a fan of this crazy far-fetched book, but I do realize from the reviews that many people did, and I hope you Barclay fans will forgive me for my harsh review.
December 20, 2022
I was fortunate enough to have both the ARC and the audiobook of this novel. More on this later.
First off prepare yourself for a slew of characters, some of which you will only know for a short time. There is so much going on and from different viewpoints that it’s best to start this when you can read it for long periods of time.
Miles is a self made millionaire in his 40’s who has just found out that he has Huntington’s which is a genetic disease. He has never married BUT he did visit a sperm bank when he was young and struggling. He becomes determined to track down any biological children he has. He has decided to leave his fortune to them when he dies, completely cutting out his only sibling, his brother Gilbert.
But wait just a minute, suddenly there are others who are beginning to track down these same 9 children that are related to Miles. One by one they are disappearing before Miles can reach them.
There was a lot going on in this book and truthfully it was frustrating for the first part of the book keeping track of everyone and what was going on. Once things get going there is never a slow moment.
My favorite character was definitely Chloe, a young woman who was in the midst of making a documentary about her family tree. Miles identifies her as one of his “children” and they form a quick bond.She plays a huge role in this novel.She is kind, caring and clever.
My least favorite of the bunch was definitely Jeremy, another millionaire, but he cares only for himself and his very sick and twisted desire for very young women. I could have done without this pedophile and wish the author had given him faults that weren’t as disgusting as this. A lot of what Jeremy does is pretty hard to believe but I suppose being a millionaire can make things go your way!
So this is twisty, up and down, race to the finish thriller which I ended up enjoying.
If you decide this one's for you I would personally recommend the audiobook. The narration was great and definitely added to my enjoyment of the book.
I received the ARC and audiobook from the publisher, through NetGalley and Harper Audio.
First off prepare yourself for a slew of characters, some of which you will only know for a short time. There is so much going on and from different viewpoints that it’s best to start this when you can read it for long periods of time.
Miles is a self made millionaire in his 40’s who has just found out that he has Huntington’s which is a genetic disease. He has never married BUT he did visit a sperm bank when he was young and struggling. He becomes determined to track down any biological children he has. He has decided to leave his fortune to them when he dies, completely cutting out his only sibling, his brother Gilbert.
But wait just a minute, suddenly there are others who are beginning to track down these same 9 children that are related to Miles. One by one they are disappearing before Miles can reach them.
There was a lot going on in this book and truthfully it was frustrating for the first part of the book keeping track of everyone and what was going on. Once things get going there is never a slow moment.
My favorite character was definitely Chloe, a young woman who was in the midst of making a documentary about her family tree. Miles identifies her as one of his “children” and they form a quick bond.She plays a huge role in this novel.She is kind, caring and clever.
My least favorite of the bunch was definitely Jeremy, another millionaire, but he cares only for himself and his very sick and twisted desire for very young women. I could have done without this pedophile and wish the author had given him faults that weren’t as disgusting as this. A lot of what Jeremy does is pretty hard to believe but I suppose being a millionaire can make things go your way!
So this is twisty, up and down, race to the finish thriller which I ended up enjoying.
If you decide this one's for you I would personally recommend the audiobook. The narration was great and definitely added to my enjoyment of the book.
I received the ARC and audiobook from the publisher, through NetGalley and Harper Audio.
February 4, 2021
4 - 5 stars
When tech multimillionaire Miles Cookson gets a diagnosis of Huntingdon's Disease this sets off a chain of events that he could never have envisaged.
This book hooks you in right from the start and you immediately know this is going to be a rollercoaster ride. There are quite a number of different threads in the storytelling but it flows well and the truth emerges a bit at a time with plenty of twists and turns. There are so many connected themes that it keeps you compulsively reading to the end. We have everything from corruption, deception, sheer greed with dangerous malice, hitmen and murder. There are a lot of characters, some to really like and root for such as Miles himself and Chloe who he meets shortly after his diagnosis. She is smart, sharp, brave and very caring. There are plenty of characters to loathe such as Miles sister in law Caroline, who is unbelievably manipulative to say the least. It’s a fast paced novel with a well constructed and intricate plot, there are plenty of good twists and jaw droppers with tension and some good moments of suspense. The end is very exciting and shall we say ‘creative’, just suspend disbelief and go with the flow as I greatly enjoyed the imagination involved!
Overall, this is a very slick thriller which is hard to put down. I did guess some of the outcome but it does not detract one iota from the enjoyment.
With thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the much appreciated arc for an honest review.
When tech multimillionaire Miles Cookson gets a diagnosis of Huntingdon's Disease this sets off a chain of events that he could never have envisaged.
This book hooks you in right from the start and you immediately know this is going to be a rollercoaster ride. There are quite a number of different threads in the storytelling but it flows well and the truth emerges a bit at a time with plenty of twists and turns. There are so many connected themes that it keeps you compulsively reading to the end. We have everything from corruption, deception, sheer greed with dangerous malice, hitmen and murder. There are a lot of characters, some to really like and root for such as Miles himself and Chloe who he meets shortly after his diagnosis. She is smart, sharp, brave and very caring. There are plenty of characters to loathe such as Miles sister in law Caroline, who is unbelievably manipulative to say the least. It’s a fast paced novel with a well constructed and intricate plot, there are plenty of good twists and jaw droppers with tension and some good moments of suspense. The end is very exciting and shall we say ‘creative’, just suspend disbelief and go with the flow as I greatly enjoyed the imagination involved!
Overall, this is a very slick thriller which is hard to put down. I did guess some of the outcome but it does not detract one iota from the enjoyment.
With thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the much appreciated arc for an honest review.
July 12, 2022
4.5 STARS
Libby Audio Review ~
Narrated by: George Newbern
Length: 11 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 05-04-21
My third by the author and I'm definitely a fan! Easy to get caught up in and hard to stop listening, had to know if Miles would find out why the names on his list were disappearing!
Miles is a rich, successful tech entrepreneur who has learned he has a terminal illness that can be passed down. He doesn't have kids that he has raised, but he is a sperm donor. Oh my!! Who may he have passed his bad genes too? He needs to warn them and why not put them in his will too? After all, he won't be needing the money!
Miles takes his list of nine "possible kids of his" and starts contacting them. Everything doesn't go as planned (shocker)! and some shady happenings come to light as the dots start connecting! Dark characters, devilish deeds, and a near death by stiletto made this one a super fun and clever read!!
My Linwood Barclay summer binge continues.......
Next up A Noise Downstairs!
Libby Audio Review ~
Narrated by: George Newbern
Length: 11 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 05-04-21
My third by the author and I'm definitely a fan! Easy to get caught up in and hard to stop listening, had to know if Miles would find out why the names on his list were disappearing!
Miles is a rich, successful tech entrepreneur who has learned he has a terminal illness that can be passed down. He doesn't have kids that he has raised, but he is a sperm donor. Oh my!! Who may he have passed his bad genes too? He needs to warn them and why not put them in his will too? After all, he won't be needing the money!
Miles takes his list of nine "possible kids of his" and starts contacting them. Everything doesn't go as planned (shocker)! and some shady happenings come to light as the dots start connecting! Dark characters, devilish deeds, and a near death by stiletto made this one a super fun and clever read!!
My Linwood Barclay summer binge continues.......
Next up A Noise Downstairs!
May 7, 2021
3.5 ⭐️
I was introduced to Linwood Barclay’s work, a couple of books ago, when I devoured
“A Noise Downstairs” a 5 ⭐️ read for me-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It was SUSPENSEFUL and a bit supernatural!
So, my mistake for expecting more of the same!
This book is more adrenaline thriller with hit men and hit women, and the requisite race against time! ⏰
Which just isn’t my thing. 🤷🏻♀️
Tech millionaire Miles Cookson has more money than he could ever spend-especially with how little time he has left. He has just been diagnosed with a terminal, genetic disease.
He wasn’t always rich-in fact at one point in his life, he was so down on his luck that he was donating his sperm.
Now, he wants to know if he is actually a father-so he can track down the biological children he passed his bad genes to, and make it up to them, with 💰. LOTS of money 💰.
He is given 9 names.
He meets the first on the list, Chloe Swanson, and is surprised to discover that they form a bond with each other.
But, as the others on his list begin to meet suspicious and untimely deaths, he wonders if he has just put Chloe in harm’s way...
As 9 becomes 8 and 8 becomes 7, the two must figure out WHO feels they would benefit most if there were less heirs?
You will have to suspend disbelief for this one!
A Winnebago in an apartment?
I won’t even explain that one....
3.5 ⭐️ rounded down for me but ADRENALINE JUNKIES should enjoy this much more!!
I was introduced to Linwood Barclay’s work, a couple of books ago, when I devoured
“A Noise Downstairs” a 5 ⭐️ read for me-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It was SUSPENSEFUL and a bit supernatural!
So, my mistake for expecting more of the same!
This book is more adrenaline thriller with hit men and hit women, and the requisite race against time! ⏰
Which just isn’t my thing. 🤷🏻♀️
Tech millionaire Miles Cookson has more money than he could ever spend-especially with how little time he has left. He has just been diagnosed with a terminal, genetic disease.
He wasn’t always rich-in fact at one point in his life, he was so down on his luck that he was donating his sperm.
Now, he wants to know if he is actually a father-so he can track down the biological children he passed his bad genes to, and make it up to them, with 💰. LOTS of money 💰.
He is given 9 names.
He meets the first on the list, Chloe Swanson, and is surprised to discover that they form a bond with each other.
But, as the others on his list begin to meet suspicious and untimely deaths, he wonders if he has just put Chloe in harm’s way...
As 9 becomes 8 and 8 becomes 7, the two must figure out WHO feels they would benefit most if there were less heirs?
You will have to suspend disbelief for this one!
A Winnebago in an apartment?
I won’t even explain that one....
3.5 ⭐️ rounded down for me but ADRENALINE JUNKIES should enjoy this much more!!
April 7, 2021
Review also posted on the Blog: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
My First Linwood Barclay! WHAT Took Me SO Long?!
The Good News?! It was a Complete Success!
When single millionaire Miles Cookson finds out that he has a fatal disease, he sets out to make things right. Years prior, when he was a young man, he donated his sperm and could potentially have fathered several children. The chances are that he could have passed this terminal disease on to them. Now, he wants to find them and help them out the best way he knows how but giving them a part of his fortune.
Unfortunately for him, someone wants to stop that from happening and the outcome for his heirs ain’t pretty.
A race against time. Mystery and intrigue that will blow your mind. Connections that steal your heart.
“Find You First” by Linwood Barclay exceeded my expectations. It was a well-written, suspenseful, character-driven mystery suspense that kept me glued to the plot for the entirety of the novel. Though this was my first Linwood Barclay, it will not be my last.
Thank you to my book buddy Kaceey for recommending Linwood Barclay to me and for reading it with me. SO glad we both loved it.
Thank you also to Sam Glatt of Harper Collins - William Morrow and Scene of the Crime for the arc.
Published on Goodreads, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
My First Linwood Barclay! WHAT Took Me SO Long?!
The Good News?! It was a Complete Success!
When single millionaire Miles Cookson finds out that he has a fatal disease, he sets out to make things right. Years prior, when he was a young man, he donated his sperm and could potentially have fathered several children. The chances are that he could have passed this terminal disease on to them. Now, he wants to find them and help them out the best way he knows how but giving them a part of his fortune.
Unfortunately for him, someone wants to stop that from happening and the outcome for his heirs ain’t pretty.
A race against time. Mystery and intrigue that will blow your mind. Connections that steal your heart.
“Find You First” by Linwood Barclay exceeded my expectations. It was a well-written, suspenseful, character-driven mystery suspense that kept me glued to the plot for the entirety of the novel. Though this was my first Linwood Barclay, it will not be my last.
Thank you to my book buddy Kaceey for recommending Linwood Barclay to me and for reading it with me. SO glad we both loved it.
Thank you also to Sam Glatt of Harper Collins - William Morrow and Scene of the Crime for the arc.
Published on Goodreads, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
May 6, 2021
I always know I will get a great read whenever I start a book by Linwood Barclay, and his books never disappoint. He knows how to get his reader's attention with an intriguing hook that creates suspense right off the bat. Then, each chapter creates more uncertainty and tension that has you wanting to read just one more chapter before you have to get back to life.
Linwood Barclay creates an enjoyable, fun, unique, complex story with some likeable, unlikable, some stereotyped characters and characters that defy stereotypes. There are a few characters here, and at times I struggled with keeping up with them all, and that did stall the story for me. The pace is fast with all the page-turning action that had me at the edge of my seat. It is a bit over the top and does require suspending some disbelief, but entertaining and fun right up to the last page. I highly recommend it.
I received a copy form the publisher through EW.
Linwood Barclay creates an enjoyable, fun, unique, complex story with some likeable, unlikable, some stereotyped characters and characters that defy stereotypes. There are a few characters here, and at times I struggled with keeping up with them all, and that did stall the story for me. The pace is fast with all the page-turning action that had me at the edge of my seat. It is a bit over the top and does require suspending some disbelief, but entertaining and fun right up to the last page. I highly recommend it.
I received a copy form the publisher through EW.
February 8, 2022
Find you first by Linwood Barclays is a story about secrets, greed & murder.
Miles Cookson is an I T billionaire who is dying from Huntingtons disease,but 20 years earlier he was a sperm donor & the disease is inherited, so Miles decides to find his children to let them know.
Things take a nasty turn when one by one his children he hopes are his are eliminated, the stakes get higher as Miles takes actions of his own to find the killer, but how far will he go?
This was another fantastic thriller that I couldn’t put down it was a compelling read that had me on the edge of my seat the characters were well written & engaging Barclays has never lost his penmanship he is at the top of his game.
Miles Cookson is an I T billionaire who is dying from Huntingtons disease,but 20 years earlier he was a sperm donor & the disease is inherited, so Miles decides to find his children to let them know.
Things take a nasty turn when one by one his children he hopes are his are eliminated, the stakes get higher as Miles takes actions of his own to find the killer, but how far will he go?
This was another fantastic thriller that I couldn’t put down it was a compelling read that had me on the edge of my seat the characters were well written & engaging Barclays has never lost his penmanship he is at the top of his game.
June 2, 2021
4.5 stars.
I have long considered Linwood Barclay, a leading author of psychological and family-based thrillers.
His crime novels have made him an internationally best-selling author. He has lived in Canada since he was four years old and educated here. To my knowledge, all his mysteries have had an American location, and I wish he would use a Canadian setting sometime in the future. (minor gripe).
Find You First was an enjoyable, compelling and entertaining mystery story with likeable protagonists and deplorable villains. It was fast-paced with an action-packed, explosive scene near the end. Its conclusion was satisfying but sad.
Miles Cookson is the billionaire head of a high-tech firm. He has never married. Now in his 50s, he has received the devasting news that he has the beginning of the disabling and fatal Huntingtons disease. Before he became wealthy, he needed cash and made a sperm donation to a fertility clinic. He wants to make a will distributing his wealth to any possible biological heirs and some to charity. Through his connections and bribery, he obtains a list of 9 young adults listed as his biological children by the clinic. Miles feels obligated to inform them that they may have inherited his disease and should be tested for that grim possibility. He intends to level them sufficient funds for long-term care if needed.
His brother, Gilbert, is employed by Miles' tech firm. Miles secretly has a DNA test done on his brother and is relieved to know that he is clear of the potential disease. He loves his brother but is inclined to leave him out of the will because of Gilbert's greedy, duplicitous, treacherous wife, Caroline. He fears that she would swindle his brother out of his part of the inheritance. This makes Gilbert feel disappointed, and Caroline enraged.
Chloe is a 22-year-old waitress who aspires to be a documentary filmmaker. She practices her hobby at a seniors facility, using her cell phone to film and record. She used an online testing site for genetic tracing and, through DNA results, found her half-brother, Todd. Both had the same unknown biological father, and both are on Miles' list of 9 potential heirs. Chloe is the first of his biological children whom Miles meets, and her mother, who used the fertility clinic, is displeased. She warns Chloe not to pursue her search. Chloe and Miles begin to form a close family (father and daughter bond).
She takes Miles to meet Todd, and they are dismayed to discover that he has disappeared without a trace. More alarming is the knowledge that others on the list have died or vanished. Their remains, residences, and belongings have been burned or destroyed, or their homes thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to destroy DNA traces. Miles wants to protect Chloe from their fate as they pursue a dangerous investigation to find out what is happening to his biological children, the reasons for their elimination, and who is to blame.
They will cross paths with a depraved wealthy man who entraps young teenaged girls into becoming sex workers at his wild parties. These gatherings are attended by politicians, celebrities, judges, lawyers, and police officials. There is greed and blackmail involved. There are also armed guards and two lethal hitmen in their path.
Gilbert's wife, Caroline, has some deadly schemes. There is little to be learned at the fertility clinic once visited by Miles. Its head doctor is in a deep depression, suicidal, and drinking heavily.
This is an engaging, thrill-packed mystery with many unforeseen twists. It is a riveting mystery that builds momentum and keeps the readers and protagonists puzzled at who is behind the strange disappearances and deaths and their motives. A riveting, unique, and entertaining plot.
I have long considered Linwood Barclay, a leading author of psychological and family-based thrillers.
His crime novels have made him an internationally best-selling author. He has lived in Canada since he was four years old and educated here. To my knowledge, all his mysteries have had an American location, and I wish he would use a Canadian setting sometime in the future. (minor gripe).
Find You First was an enjoyable, compelling and entertaining mystery story with likeable protagonists and deplorable villains. It was fast-paced with an action-packed, explosive scene near the end. Its conclusion was satisfying but sad.
Miles Cookson is the billionaire head of a high-tech firm. He has never married. Now in his 50s, he has received the devasting news that he has the beginning of the disabling and fatal Huntingtons disease. Before he became wealthy, he needed cash and made a sperm donation to a fertility clinic. He wants to make a will distributing his wealth to any possible biological heirs and some to charity. Through his connections and bribery, he obtains a list of 9 young adults listed as his biological children by the clinic. Miles feels obligated to inform them that they may have inherited his disease and should be tested for that grim possibility. He intends to level them sufficient funds for long-term care if needed.
His brother, Gilbert, is employed by Miles' tech firm. Miles secretly has a DNA test done on his brother and is relieved to know that he is clear of the potential disease. He loves his brother but is inclined to leave him out of the will because of Gilbert's greedy, duplicitous, treacherous wife, Caroline. He fears that she would swindle his brother out of his part of the inheritance. This makes Gilbert feel disappointed, and Caroline enraged.
Chloe is a 22-year-old waitress who aspires to be a documentary filmmaker. She practices her hobby at a seniors facility, using her cell phone to film and record. She used an online testing site for genetic tracing and, through DNA results, found her half-brother, Todd. Both had the same unknown biological father, and both are on Miles' list of 9 potential heirs. Chloe is the first of his biological children whom Miles meets, and her mother, who used the fertility clinic, is displeased. She warns Chloe not to pursue her search. Chloe and Miles begin to form a close family (father and daughter bond).
She takes Miles to meet Todd, and they are dismayed to discover that he has disappeared without a trace. More alarming is the knowledge that others on the list have died or vanished. Their remains, residences, and belongings have been burned or destroyed, or their homes thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to destroy DNA traces. Miles wants to protect Chloe from their fate as they pursue a dangerous investigation to find out what is happening to his biological children, the reasons for their elimination, and who is to blame.
They will cross paths with a depraved wealthy man who entraps young teenaged girls into becoming sex workers at his wild parties. These gatherings are attended by politicians, celebrities, judges, lawyers, and police officials. There is greed and blackmail involved. There are also armed guards and two lethal hitmen in their path.
Gilbert's wife, Caroline, has some deadly schemes. There is little to be learned at the fertility clinic once visited by Miles. Its head doctor is in a deep depression, suicidal, and drinking heavily.
This is an engaging, thrill-packed mystery with many unforeseen twists. It is a riveting mystery that builds momentum and keeps the readers and protagonists puzzled at who is behind the strange disappearances and deaths and their motives. A riveting, unique, and entertaining plot.
December 6, 2020
Linwood Barclay has been one of my favourite authors for some time now although I have found his recent books a little disappointing. This one was back up there and I had no hesitation giving it a 4+ rating. Great characters, interesting plot and so well paced that had me reading it straight through, I just didn’t want to put it down.
Miles Cookson is a very successful Tech billionaire and has more money than he can ever spend, but the one thing he can’t buy is a remedy for his illness. Miles is terminally ill and there is a fifty percent chance it can be passed on to his future generations. Although he has never had any children, twenty years ago, when times were tough he made a little extra money donating sperm. Apparently there are nine people out there who not only stand to inherit his fortune but may also have the disease that will end his life.
Meanwhile Chloe Swanson is searching for her biological father, with the knowledge that twenty-two years ago, her mother used a New York sperm bank to become pregnant. It is only a matter of time before Miles and Chloe meet but there are mixed emotions when they do get together. Initial excitement and joy is quickly taken over by a series of mysterious and terrifying events. It appears that Miles’s other potential heirs are vanishing with every trace of them wiped, like they never existed at all.
It becomes a race against time for Miles to find the potential heirs before they disappear. Why is someone else trying to locate the heirs and who will succeed in finding them.
This is an exciting read that you will find difficult to put down. Fast paced and full of suspense.
would like to thank both Netgalley and HQ for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Miles Cookson is a very successful Tech billionaire and has more money than he can ever spend, but the one thing he can’t buy is a remedy for his illness. Miles is terminally ill and there is a fifty percent chance it can be passed on to his future generations. Although he has never had any children, twenty years ago, when times were tough he made a little extra money donating sperm. Apparently there are nine people out there who not only stand to inherit his fortune but may also have the disease that will end his life.
Meanwhile Chloe Swanson is searching for her biological father, with the knowledge that twenty-two years ago, her mother used a New York sperm bank to become pregnant. It is only a matter of time before Miles and Chloe meet but there are mixed emotions when they do get together. Initial excitement and joy is quickly taken over by a series of mysterious and terrifying events. It appears that Miles’s other potential heirs are vanishing with every trace of them wiped, like they never existed at all.
It becomes a race against time for Miles to find the potential heirs before they disappear. Why is someone else trying to locate the heirs and who will succeed in finding them.
This is an exciting read that you will find difficult to put down. Fast paced and full of suspense.
would like to thank both Netgalley and HQ for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
July 14, 2021
What's your name? Who's your daddy? Is he rich like me?
- Time of the Season performed by The Zombies circa 1967
What money can buy, and what it cannot. We already have a pretty good idea on what some people will do to get more of it.
Those genealogy DNA test kits. You know, swab the inside of your cheek and send the sample off to find out if there is anyone out there in the world who might be related to you. Tracking down possible siblings, a biological parent, or third cousins twice removed. You know the ones. They figure largely here, as does in vitro fertilization and the progeny that has resulted from it.
Kept my interest from start to finish. And two bonuses, as well. I am not the only GR reviewer who loves to come across the word "gobsmacked", and it was used in here. Second bonus, this book had an excellent drinking toast in it, one I intend to use some day. "To us, whoever we are."
- Time of the Season performed by The Zombies circa 1967
What money can buy, and what it cannot. We already have a pretty good idea on what some people will do to get more of it.
Those genealogy DNA test kits. You know, swab the inside of your cheek and send the sample off to find out if there is anyone out there in the world who might be related to you. Tracking down possible siblings, a biological parent, or third cousins twice removed. You know the ones. They figure largely here, as does in vitro fertilization and the progeny that has resulted from it.
Kept my interest from start to finish. And two bonuses, as well. I am not the only GR reviewer who loves to come across the word "gobsmacked", and it was used in here. Second bonus, this book had an excellent drinking toast in it, one I intend to use some day. "To us, whoever we are."
March 24, 2021
4.5 stars rounded up.
I was so happy to finally get this book from the library. And after finishing it I am happy to report that I think this is one of Barclay’s best ones yet! It was a crazy ride of a mad cap adventure with some laugh out loud moments and I think it is best enjoyed if you don’t take it too seriously or expect too much plausibility.
Miles Cookson is the extremely wealthy owner of an app development company. At 42 years of age he doesn’t worry too much about his future. But a visit to the doctor to query some odd coordination issues leads to a diagnosis of Huntington’s disease. It is incurable and patients invariably die after a slow decline. Cookson was gobsmacked, devastated and morose. After a period of indulging in a few vices he remembers the doctor’s words when he said “at least you don’t have children” because of course there is a high chance of passing it on. And he remembers when he was a young man in college desperate to make a bit of extra money so he made a sperm donation for payment. He wonders how many children he has out there and decides to do some good. He plans to track them down and divide up his fortune to his offspring, along with a few other specific bequests. Of course that sort of information is tightly held but Cookson knows that his money will buy him the info.
Meanwhile we meet some of the nine children who are all around 20 give or take a few years and we learn that some of them are being killed. Cookson hooks up with Chloe first as she is the closest. She had already learned she had a half brother through a DNA testing site, Todd Cox, and the two of them had already met. Chloe took ‘dad’ to meet Todd but there was no Todd. In fact his trailer home had been completely cleared out and almost forensically cleaned. WTF? Cookson has his staff tracking down the other offspring and he and Chloe notice the pattern.
Meanwhile the action continues among the offspring, the fertility clinic which is still in operation, the hit men who have been dispatched to kill the children, another wealthy and eccentric man called Jeremy Pritkin who has a taste for very young women, and the Miles Cookson cavalcade which includes a very large black woman as driver who doubles as bodyguard and of course the remaining children. Oh and Miles’s sister-in-law Caroline who will do almost anything to get her hands on the inheritance. She is livid that Miles is not leaving the bulk of his fortune to his brother Gilbert and, by extension, herself!
It really was a crazy ride and I loved every minute of it. The dialogue was sparkling and very funny. Miles is a funny guy - brilliant and blunt! Chloe is wise beyond her years and also very funny. She is very aware of the limitations of her poor upbringing but is still as smart as a whip. What she isn’t is gullible, her feet are very firmly planted on the ground. There were a lot of characters in this story so I made notes which helped keep everyone straight. All in all it was a fantastic read, not too heavy, nothing gratuitous but still heaps of drama, action and excitement and lots of fun. Highly recommended.
I was so happy to finally get this book from the library. And after finishing it I am happy to report that I think this is one of Barclay’s best ones yet! It was a crazy ride of a mad cap adventure with some laugh out loud moments and I think it is best enjoyed if you don’t take it too seriously or expect too much plausibility.
Miles Cookson is the extremely wealthy owner of an app development company. At 42 years of age he doesn’t worry too much about his future. But a visit to the doctor to query some odd coordination issues leads to a diagnosis of Huntington’s disease. It is incurable and patients invariably die after a slow decline. Cookson was gobsmacked, devastated and morose. After a period of indulging in a few vices he remembers the doctor’s words when he said “at least you don’t have children” because of course there is a high chance of passing it on. And he remembers when he was a young man in college desperate to make a bit of extra money so he made a sperm donation for payment. He wonders how many children he has out there and decides to do some good. He plans to track them down and divide up his fortune to his offspring, along with a few other specific bequests. Of course that sort of information is tightly held but Cookson knows that his money will buy him the info.
Meanwhile we meet some of the nine children who are all around 20 give or take a few years and we learn that some of them are being killed. Cookson hooks up with Chloe first as she is the closest. She had already learned she had a half brother through a DNA testing site, Todd Cox, and the two of them had already met. Chloe took ‘dad’ to meet Todd but there was no Todd. In fact his trailer home had been completely cleared out and almost forensically cleaned. WTF? Cookson has his staff tracking down the other offspring and he and Chloe notice the pattern.
Meanwhile the action continues among the offspring, the fertility clinic which is still in operation, the hit men who have been dispatched to kill the children, another wealthy and eccentric man called Jeremy Pritkin who has a taste for very young women, and the Miles Cookson cavalcade which includes a very large black woman as driver who doubles as bodyguard and of course the remaining children. Oh and Miles’s sister-in-law Caroline who will do almost anything to get her hands on the inheritance. She is livid that Miles is not leaving the bulk of his fortune to his brother Gilbert and, by extension, herself!
It really was a crazy ride and I loved every minute of it. The dialogue was sparkling and very funny. Miles is a funny guy - brilliant and blunt! Chloe is wise beyond her years and also very funny. She is very aware of the limitations of her poor upbringing but is still as smart as a whip. What she isn’t is gullible, her feet are very firmly planted on the ground. There were a lot of characters in this story so I made notes which helped keep everyone straight. All in all it was a fantastic read, not too heavy, nothing gratuitous but still heaps of drama, action and excitement and lots of fun. Highly recommended.
July 24, 2022
Stemming from a genuinely distinctive and adroit foundation, author Linwood Barclay's 'Find You First' is a spectacular roller coaster ride with ceaseless adrenalin-fueled action. It is chock-full of shrewd and sharp-witted narrative, in addition, Barclay is a wizard of concluding chapters with a white- knuckle shocker.
Main character Miles Cookson, is an extremely affluent, bachelor tech magnate who has just been told by his doctor he has a terminal heredity disease. As a result, he sets out to find the children he may have fathered from the donations he made to a sperm bank twenty years prior. This was done at a point in his life when he was desperate to obtain the necessary funds for creating his company - the one which ultimately propelled him into a millionaire. He now feels it is his obligation to find any of his possible progenies and inform them they could possibly have inherited (50/50 chance) the same genetic disease. One by one the children Miles is searching for begin to vanish. His search for answers to their whereabouts takes him all over the country and into more and more perilous situations - with no end in sight.
As Miles starts on his journey to find his potential offspring Chloe Swanson is simultaneously on a quest to find her biological father. Her mother will not give her any information other than she used a sperm bank to become pregnant with her. Nevertheless, Chloe is indefatigable and her valiant spunkiness combined with her common sense makes her incredibly charismatic - I was instantly attached to her character.
True to form, Barclay has saturated another masterful suspense filled thriller with vivid, unforgettable characters, rapid-fire action and blindsiding curveballs right up till its shocking conclusion.
Solo narrator George Newbern does a phenomenal job in giving each character an autonomous and easily identifiable voice without missing a beat in pace changes.
Main character Miles Cookson, is an extremely affluent, bachelor tech magnate who has just been told by his doctor he has a terminal heredity disease. As a result, he sets out to find the children he may have fathered from the donations he made to a sperm bank twenty years prior. This was done at a point in his life when he was desperate to obtain the necessary funds for creating his company - the one which ultimately propelled him into a millionaire. He now feels it is his obligation to find any of his possible progenies and inform them they could possibly have inherited (50/50 chance) the same genetic disease. One by one the children Miles is searching for begin to vanish. His search for answers to their whereabouts takes him all over the country and into more and more perilous situations - with no end in sight.
As Miles starts on his journey to find his potential offspring Chloe Swanson is simultaneously on a quest to find her biological father. Her mother will not give her any information other than she used a sperm bank to become pregnant with her. Nevertheless, Chloe is indefatigable and her valiant spunkiness combined with her common sense makes her incredibly charismatic - I was instantly attached to her character.
True to form, Barclay has saturated another masterful suspense filled thriller with vivid, unforgettable characters, rapid-fire action and blindsiding curveballs right up till its shocking conclusion.
Solo narrator George Newbern does a phenomenal job in giving each character an autonomous and easily identifiable voice without missing a beat in pace changes.
May 3, 2021
Yay, I finally read a book by this author! He had been on my tbr list for a long time. I was definitely into the story and even with 400+ pages it still managed to be a quick read. I’m conflicted about how everything was wrapped up in the end though. I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed but I don’t feel satisfied either.
Miles Cookson has made a fortune in the tech industry. He is 42 years old and has received word from his doctor that he doesn't have much longer to live. Way back when Miles was struggling for cash, he donated his "swimmers" to a fertility clinic. He has no idea how many children he has fathered but he is determined to locate them ASAP. He wants to warn them so they can get tested for the terminal disease he might have passed down to them.
There's a few good plot twists in the story so I tried to keep the synopsis as brief as possible. The chapters alternate between Miles and a whole bunch of other characters. For the most part it is easy to keep track of everyone. The story has a fast pace which is always a plus for a thriller. It makes for a good vacation read as it doesn't require your full concentration but yet it manages to hold your interest.
The ending is the weak spot of the book. There's some great buildup but it just doesn't really lead to anything substantial. A ton of action in the last quarter or so of the story but it felt lackluster because I didn't like the direction the author went in.
The story might not have finished strong but overall I did like this one. Will definitely check out more books by this author.
Thank you to William Morrow for providing an advance copy of this book! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
Miles Cookson has made a fortune in the tech industry. He is 42 years old and has received word from his doctor that he doesn't have much longer to live. Way back when Miles was struggling for cash, he donated his "swimmers" to a fertility clinic. He has no idea how many children he has fathered but he is determined to locate them ASAP. He wants to warn them so they can get tested for the terminal disease he might have passed down to them.
There's a few good plot twists in the story so I tried to keep the synopsis as brief as possible. The chapters alternate between Miles and a whole bunch of other characters. For the most part it is easy to keep track of everyone. The story has a fast pace which is always a plus for a thriller. It makes for a good vacation read as it doesn't require your full concentration but yet it manages to hold your interest.
The ending is the weak spot of the book. There's some great buildup but it just doesn't really lead to anything substantial. A ton of action in the last quarter or so of the story but it felt lackluster because I didn't like the direction the author went in.
The story might not have finished strong but overall I did like this one. Will definitely check out more books by this author.
Thank you to William Morrow for providing an advance copy of this book! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
August 19, 2022
Terminal illness has a way of focusing your thinking
Miles Cookson is a high-tech billionaire and it’s doubtful he could ever spend all of his money, even if he were to live out a normal life span. But he’s been diagnosed with Huntington’s Chorea and he now knows that a painful death is not only inevitable, but it’s also going to come a good deal sooner than later. What’s more, the anonymous children that he sired as a result of his sperm contributions to a local fertility clinic when he was a young, struggling and impoverished start-up entrepreneur stand a 50% chance of inheriting the gene that will give them the same disease. There is no cure.
Cookson begins a race against his winding down biological clock that is loudly ticking its march toward midnight. Confidentiality regulations be damned, he’s hell bent on finding those children, advising them of their situation, and dispensing his wealth to them (regardless of whether they have the gene or dodged the bullet). But if this were the sum and substance of the story of FIND YOU FIRST, you’d probably wonder where the suspense thriller part was going to come from – and, of course, you’d be quite right! Here’s the rub! Someone else is obviously working from the same list of names and is determined to eliminate them and to erase every possible speck of their biological DNA. In other words, someone is out to remove the history of these children’s very existence.
Cookson’s list is nine names long and his nemesis has already erased two from the list. Cookson is determined to put a stop to the carnage.
FIND YOU FIRST is absolutely over the top and utterly beyond the bounds of credibility, but it’s high speed, compelling, and gripping with lots of twists and turns and it’s great reading entertainment. Another success from one of my favourite authors in the very crowded arena of thrillers, mysteries, and police procedurals. Definitely recommended. (And kudos for the riff on the theme of child sexual assault and pedophilia à la Jeffrey Epstein with his partner enabler and trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell)
Paul Weiss
Miles Cookson is a high-tech billionaire and it’s doubtful he could ever spend all of his money, even if he were to live out a normal life span. But he’s been diagnosed with Huntington’s Chorea and he now knows that a painful death is not only inevitable, but it’s also going to come a good deal sooner than later. What’s more, the anonymous children that he sired as a result of his sperm contributions to a local fertility clinic when he was a young, struggling and impoverished start-up entrepreneur stand a 50% chance of inheriting the gene that will give them the same disease. There is no cure.
Cookson begins a race against his winding down biological clock that is loudly ticking its march toward midnight. Confidentiality regulations be damned, he’s hell bent on finding those children, advising them of their situation, and dispensing his wealth to them (regardless of whether they have the gene or dodged the bullet). But if this were the sum and substance of the story of FIND YOU FIRST, you’d probably wonder where the suspense thriller part was going to come from – and, of course, you’d be quite right! Here’s the rub! Someone else is obviously working from the same list of names and is determined to eliminate them and to erase every possible speck of their biological DNA. In other words, someone is out to remove the history of these children’s very existence.
Cookson’s list is nine names long and his nemesis has already erased two from the list. Cookson is determined to put a stop to the carnage.
FIND YOU FIRST is absolutely over the top and utterly beyond the bounds of credibility, but it’s high speed, compelling, and gripping with lots of twists and turns and it’s great reading entertainment. Another success from one of my favourite authors in the very crowded arena of thrillers, mysteries, and police procedurals. Definitely recommended. (And kudos for the riff on the theme of child sexual assault and pedophilia à la Jeffrey Epstein with his partner enabler and trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell)
Paul Weiss
July 21, 2021
When it comes to psychological thrillers, Linwood Barclay is one of the best that I’ve read. Keeping the reader in suspense throughout the experience, Barclay crafts wonderful stories that tell an underlying story, while chilling those who venture to delve deeper. When a man of considerable wealth learns he has a serious medical condition, his first thought is to warn those with his genetic make up of the possibility that they might have inherited it. This proves more difficult, as the only children he’s sired were those who came from a sperm bank. Obtaining the list, it’s a race to let them know, as well as connect with those who never knew their biological father. However, someone else is targeting this same group, as some go missing. Could this be one of the heirs, who would gain that much less of the inheritance promised them? It’s a race to discover the truth, with sinister forces hiding in the shadows.
Miles Cookson has enjoyed a successful life. Working in the tech industry, he’s been able to amass a large sum of money along the way, though never had a spouse or children to share his riches. When Cookson learns that he has a terminal illness, he is understandably distraught, but it also starts a mission that he has put off for too long.
Twenty years ago, Cookson chose to make multiple donations to a local sperm bank, well before he had earned his riches. Now, he is adamant that he must discover the names and location of those children who were born with his help. Not only does he want to inform them about the illness, but has decided to divide his inheritance amongst them all.
After some strong arming, Cookson gets the list and begins his visits, which includes a call on Chloe Swanson, a young filmmaker who has been trying to document the blurry parts of her past as well. Together, Cookson and Swanson try their best to track down the others, only to discover that some have simply disappeared. What’s even more baffling is that the homes in which these people live have been scribbled clean, as though any trace of them could prove troubling.
While Cookson and Swanson forge onwards, the question lingers as to who else might have a copy of the list and whether they might be trying to shorten the list of offspring to share the inheritance. When Cookson discovers an even more troubling piece of news about the fertility clinic, the mission to locate these children takes on new meaning, though it could only up the violence even more. A chilling story that proves Linwood Barclay is a master in the genre, leaving readers baffled with every page flip.
I have read some authors who use psych thrillers to promote serial killers and gruesome murders. While I enjoy those to a degree, Barclay uses a more spine-tingling approach to present his stories, one that keeps the reader guessing and tripping over all the twists. The subtleties woven into the narrative and random mentions of Canada (who does not like those?) help to make me feel a stronger connection to the book. Barclay has a knack for this type of writing and I am eager to keep reading whatever he has to offer.
With the story shifting through a number of narrative approaches, the reader can see protagonist roles being offered to many, by primarily Miles and Chloe. Both come from such different backgrounds that their backstories contrast perfectly and the development they show is formidable. Readers can latch onto what they experience without being too distracted from the premise of the novel and they both provide some insights into what is actually going on within the novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the perspectives they brought and definitely wanted more throughout the novel.
The handful of impactful secondary characters throughout the book offer the reader some interesting flavouring into the plot development and how the protagonists are able to forge ahead. There is a complex web of scenarios taking place throughout and the need for strong individuals to push the story along forces Barclay to pay close attention to everyone who makes it to the printed page. There is a great deal to tackle here, which Barclay does well, as has been my experience with many of his past novels as well.
The premise of the novel—man seeks to find his long-long children and deliver news—may not be entirely unique, but Linwood Barclay found a way to add layers of excitement and intrigue from the opening pages. There is so much going on within each chapter that the reader will have to play close attention, being a part of the developing narrative throughout. Short to mid-length chapters keep the reader guessing and wondering, all while trying to make sense of what’s really taking place, a trademark Barclay style. With believable characters in a realistic setting, there is little the story is missing to make a wonderful read any time of the year. I always look forward to Barclay’s work, as it never quite answers all the questions posed in the story, a sort of earwig with which the reader must grapple well after putting the book down at the end. Pure genius!
Kudos, Mr. Barclay, for another winner. While some may not find things as gripping, I love your style and hope you keep things going for your upcoming publications.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Miles Cookson has enjoyed a successful life. Working in the tech industry, he’s been able to amass a large sum of money along the way, though never had a spouse or children to share his riches. When Cookson learns that he has a terminal illness, he is understandably distraught, but it also starts a mission that he has put off for too long.
Twenty years ago, Cookson chose to make multiple donations to a local sperm bank, well before he had earned his riches. Now, he is adamant that he must discover the names and location of those children who were born with his help. Not only does he want to inform them about the illness, but has decided to divide his inheritance amongst them all.
After some strong arming, Cookson gets the list and begins his visits, which includes a call on Chloe Swanson, a young filmmaker who has been trying to document the blurry parts of her past as well. Together, Cookson and Swanson try their best to track down the others, only to discover that some have simply disappeared. What’s even more baffling is that the homes in which these people live have been scribbled clean, as though any trace of them could prove troubling.
While Cookson and Swanson forge onwards, the question lingers as to who else might have a copy of the list and whether they might be trying to shorten the list of offspring to share the inheritance. When Cookson discovers an even more troubling piece of news about the fertility clinic, the mission to locate these children takes on new meaning, though it could only up the violence even more. A chilling story that proves Linwood Barclay is a master in the genre, leaving readers baffled with every page flip.
I have read some authors who use psych thrillers to promote serial killers and gruesome murders. While I enjoy those to a degree, Barclay uses a more spine-tingling approach to present his stories, one that keeps the reader guessing and tripping over all the twists. The subtleties woven into the narrative and random mentions of Canada (who does not like those?) help to make me feel a stronger connection to the book. Barclay has a knack for this type of writing and I am eager to keep reading whatever he has to offer.
With the story shifting through a number of narrative approaches, the reader can see protagonist roles being offered to many, by primarily Miles and Chloe. Both come from such different backgrounds that their backstories contrast perfectly and the development they show is formidable. Readers can latch onto what they experience without being too distracted from the premise of the novel and they both provide some insights into what is actually going on within the novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the perspectives they brought and definitely wanted more throughout the novel.
The handful of impactful secondary characters throughout the book offer the reader some interesting flavouring into the plot development and how the protagonists are able to forge ahead. There is a complex web of scenarios taking place throughout and the need for strong individuals to push the story along forces Barclay to pay close attention to everyone who makes it to the printed page. There is a great deal to tackle here, which Barclay does well, as has been my experience with many of his past novels as well.
The premise of the novel—man seeks to find his long-long children and deliver news—may not be entirely unique, but Linwood Barclay found a way to add layers of excitement and intrigue from the opening pages. There is so much going on within each chapter that the reader will have to play close attention, being a part of the developing narrative throughout. Short to mid-length chapters keep the reader guessing and wondering, all while trying to make sense of what’s really taking place, a trademark Barclay style. With believable characters in a realistic setting, there is little the story is missing to make a wonderful read any time of the year. I always look forward to Barclay’s work, as it never quite answers all the questions posed in the story, a sort of earwig with which the reader must grapple well after putting the book down at the end. Pure genius!
Kudos, Mr. Barclay, for another winner. While some may not find things as gripping, I love your style and hope you keep things going for your upcoming publications.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
May 11, 2021
4 action-packed stars
This one is a mile-a-minute thriller with a lot to keep track of while reading, escapism at its best!
We start with ultra-wealthy Miles Cookson, he’s the founder of an app company that is wildly successful. Not so lucky for Miles is his recent health diagnosis. He realizes that he could have passed along this disease to his children. How many children does he have you might ask? Well, he has to consult the fertility clinic to find out . . . Turns out there are 9 children out there that he feels compelled to track down.
Someone else has the same list and it’s a frantic countdown to figure out who is after the kids and why! Is it all about Miles’ money? Revenge? This one had some great red herrings and I was not on the right track at all!
There are some interesting characters in this one. I really liked Chloe, one of the “list of 9” people and Miles has a great driver Charise with a mysterious past and some unexpected skills! There are some dastardly villains as well, but I don’t want to give away their identities!
This was my second read by this author and I would definitely read some of his other books! If you like a shot of adrenalin in your books, this one is for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Scene of the Crime, William Morrow/Custom House for the copy of this one to read.
This one is a mile-a-minute thriller with a lot to keep track of while reading, escapism at its best!
We start with ultra-wealthy Miles Cookson, he’s the founder of an app company that is wildly successful. Not so lucky for Miles is his recent health diagnosis. He realizes that he could have passed along this disease to his children. How many children does he have you might ask? Well, he has to consult the fertility clinic to find out . . . Turns out there are 9 children out there that he feels compelled to track down.
Someone else has the same list and it’s a frantic countdown to figure out who is after the kids and why! Is it all about Miles’ money? Revenge? This one had some great red herrings and I was not on the right track at all!
There are some interesting characters in this one. I really liked Chloe, one of the “list of 9” people and Miles has a great driver Charise with a mysterious past and some unexpected skills! There are some dastardly villains as well, but I don’t want to give away their identities!
This was my second read by this author and I would definitely read some of his other books! If you like a shot of adrenalin in your books, this one is for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Scene of the Crime, William Morrow/Custom House for the copy of this one to read.
July 6, 2024
4⭐
Genre ~ psychological fiction
Setting ~ New York
Publication date ~ May 4, 2021
Est Page Count ~ 444
Audio length ~ 11 hours 8 minutes
Narrator ~ George Newbern
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ terminal illness, sperm donor to 9 kids, violence
Miles is on the hunt to locate the children he created via a sperm bank to let them know about a possible hereditary disease they might inherit.
With Jeffrey Epstein vibes and multiple characters to follow along with there's a lot to pay attention to, but all weaves together nicely. It's not super plausible, but fast paced with some nice twists nonetheless.
I haven't been disappointed in anything I've read by this author yet.
Narration notes:
He does a lovely job as always.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ psychological fiction
Setting ~ New York
Publication date ~ May 4, 2021
Est Page Count ~ 444
Audio length ~ 11 hours 8 minutes
Narrator ~ George Newbern
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ terminal illness, sperm donor to 9 kids, violence
Miles is on the hunt to locate the children he created via a sperm bank to let them know about a possible hereditary disease they might inherit.
With Jeffrey Epstein vibes and multiple characters to follow along with there's a lot to pay attention to, but all weaves together nicely. It's not super plausible, but fast paced with some nice twists nonetheless.
I haven't been disappointed in anything I've read by this author yet.
Narration notes:
He does a lovely job as always.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
July 10, 2021
Audiobook…..read by George Newbern
….11 hours and 8 minutes long
Spectacular thriller!!!!
A firecracker twisty-BANG of a beginning and a totally surprise ending —
loved it!
The middle wasn’t so bad either!!!
Great fun!!!
Nice change from my normal reflective reading repertoire!
….11 hours and 8 minutes long
Spectacular thriller!!!!
A firecracker twisty-BANG of a beginning and a totally surprise ending —
loved it!
The middle wasn’t so bad either!!!
Great fun!!!
Nice change from my normal reflective reading repertoire!
April 13, 2021
This book was a double fantastic read! I loved the author’s way with words! A sentence that got me smiling, “who’d dabbled in more fields than Hershey’s had kisses.” I have been liking stories about sperm/egg donation recently and it’s interesting that people could have half brothers/sisters out there. This story was such a thrilling and intense read. It’s full of suspense! I loved the fast paced and mini cliffhangers at the end of each chapter. The unexpected twists were awesome! I loved the multiple point of views because it gave readers the full scope of what each person was doing and feeling. I was so invested into reading this book that I found myself having a hard time putting it down. Now at the end, I even want this story to be a bit longer. I want to read the bad guy’s shame that their secrets are exposed!
This book started with a prologue following Todd, 21, told in the third person point of view, as he tried to swindle money out of an elderly over the phone. Then Rhys and Kendra, fake detectives came knocking. They did something unexpectedly. Then the story began, 3 weeks earlier, where Dr. Alexandra informed Miles that he has Huntington’s disease. This disease doesn’t have a treatment and the question was if he has any kids because they could get the disease too. The second view was Chloe, 22 as she was about to interview her grandfather. She wanted to find out where she came from because her mom had her through sperm donor. She found her half brother through an online DNA test. The third view was Jeremy, Industrialist, as he had an RV placed into the third floor of his home. He’s wealthy and used his money to influence the powerful people so that he can get away with committing his sins. The fourth view was Marissa, Jeremy sister. Marissa just found out that there may be nieces/nephews out there that shared their DNA but Jeremy was upset with the news. The fifth view was Julie, receptionist at the sperm donation clinic. She’s having troubles keeping up with the bills. The sixth view was Gilbert, Miles’ brother who worked in Accounting department for Miles’ company. The seventh view was Caroline, Gilbert’s wife and Miles’ sister-in-law. The eighth view was Jason, one of the Nine. There are a few more views from here.
Find You First was definitely an amazing read. The humor was so good. I loved Travis’ view. He was so funny. I smiled so much reading his views. But overall, I enjoyed reading everyone’s views. The unexpected twists were awesome! So many people were involved that sometimes I wondered how they are connected. It’s a big puzzle to solve and as it turned out, I couldn’t guess who the killer was and why but it definitely made sense. Jeremy’s character will remind readers of who in real life he resembled to. So it was very interesting to read Dr. Gold’s view as well. If you have a love for bridges, Dr. Gold share your interest. This is actually the best thriller I have read this year and I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
Many thanks to William Morrow Books for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
This book started with a prologue following Todd, 21, told in the third person point of view, as he tried to swindle money out of an elderly over the phone. Then Rhys and Kendra, fake detectives came knocking. They did something unexpectedly. Then the story began, 3 weeks earlier, where Dr. Alexandra informed Miles that he has Huntington’s disease. This disease doesn’t have a treatment and the question was if he has any kids because they could get the disease too. The second view was Chloe, 22 as she was about to interview her grandfather. She wanted to find out where she came from because her mom had her through sperm donor. She found her half brother through an online DNA test. The third view was Jeremy, Industrialist, as he had an RV placed into the third floor of his home. He’s wealthy and used his money to influence the powerful people so that he can get away with committing his sins. The fourth view was Marissa, Jeremy sister. Marissa just found out that there may be nieces/nephews out there that shared their DNA but Jeremy was upset with the news. The fifth view was Julie, receptionist at the sperm donation clinic. She’s having troubles keeping up with the bills. The sixth view was Gilbert, Miles’ brother who worked in Accounting department for Miles’ company. The seventh view was Caroline, Gilbert’s wife and Miles’ sister-in-law. The eighth view was Jason, one of the Nine. There are a few more views from here.
Find You First was definitely an amazing read. The humor was so good. I loved Travis’ view. He was so funny. I smiled so much reading his views. But overall, I enjoyed reading everyone’s views. The unexpected twists were awesome! So many people were involved that sometimes I wondered how they are connected. It’s a big puzzle to solve and as it turned out, I couldn’t guess who the killer was and why but it definitely made sense. Jeremy’s character will remind readers of who in real life he resembled to. So it was very interesting to read Dr. Gold’s view as well. If you have a love for bridges, Dr. Gold share your interest. This is actually the best thriller I have read this year and I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
Many thanks to William Morrow Books for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
May 8, 2021
To be honest, I can’t believe that Stephen King endorsed this book. He was right about one thing: “it starts with a bang”. As for the rest...
I really was hoping to (at least) enjoy this book, but unfortunately I was not impressed by his writing style and his story development.
There are too many characters, and each one was insipid.
The dialogues were not that great.
I think that the author was in a hurry to publish this book.
The plot is farfetched but fast paced, but I did not find it that thrilling. Most of the time I was asking “are you serious?”.
Yes, what a disappointment and quite painful.
Please, don’t mind my opinion. I know that I’m (or will be) in the minority.
I really was hoping to (at least) enjoy this book, but unfortunately I was not impressed by his writing style and his story development.
There are too many characters, and each one was insipid.
The dialogues were not that great.
I think that the author was in a hurry to publish this book.
The plot is farfetched but fast paced, but I did not find it that thrilling. Most of the time I was asking “are you serious?”.
Yes, what a disappointment and quite painful.
Please, don’t mind my opinion. I know that I’m (or will be) in the minority.
March 1, 2021
If you’re on the hunt for an adrenaline-pumping, fast-paced, action-packed thriller, with an original premise then Find You First definitely ticked all those boxes for me.
April 21, 2021
If you're looking to read something that feels cinematic (especially at its climax), then Find You First perfectly fills that requirement. We've been lacking some good action-thriller movies this year, so this book felt like a trip back to the theatre in some ways. You get lots of crazy sequences and lots of characters with a pack of dynamite ready to explode at the end.
We very often see the inheritance trope in mystery fiction, and Find You First adds really interesting elements to this classic set up. The family of this story don't actually know each other, because they're all the children of billionaire Miles Cookson who did a sperm donation decades ago. And right when he's looking to reconnect with and inform them with the news of a fatal disease in their bloodline, they end up getting killed off one by one.
Barclay is great at making his writing as tense as possible, the only thing I might've been lacking was a little bit more suspense. Another layer of mystery could have made a twist that much more powerful.
There is something too fun about reading a bunch of billionaires plotting to kill each other, expect pure entertainment! Thanks Netgalley and William Morrow.
We very often see the inheritance trope in mystery fiction, and Find You First adds really interesting elements to this classic set up. The family of this story don't actually know each other, because they're all the children of billionaire Miles Cookson who did a sperm donation decades ago. And right when he's looking to reconnect with and inform them with the news of a fatal disease in their bloodline, they end up getting killed off one by one.
Barclay is great at making his writing as tense as possible, the only thing I might've been lacking was a little bit more suspense. Another layer of mystery could have made a twist that much more powerful.
There is something too fun about reading a bunch of billionaires plotting to kill each other, expect pure entertainment! Thanks Netgalley and William Morrow.
February 28, 2024
Miles Cookson was a wealthy man. His tech company had surpassed all expectations and he now had more money than he could ever spend. But when he was diagnosed with Huntington's Disease and knew his time was limited, he set about righting the past. When he was a struggling young man, in need of some ready cash, he donated sperm. Now he needed to discover if any biological children had inherited his disease. Finding someone who would get the details for him wasn't hard - after all, money talked. But once he set out on the journey, he was horrified at what he discovered.
One of his biological children, Chloe Swanson, connected with him easily enough. But it was what was happening - gradually and with sinister connotations - that had Miles and Chloe frightened. One by one, the children were being eliminated; totally erased so nothing was left. What was happening? Why would someone target those who Miles was trying to find? And would Chloe be next?
Find You First by Linwood Barclay is a twisted psychological thriller which captivated me from the start! 501 pages flew by, and as each plot piece was revealed, I was gobsmacked! A clever and for me, original plotline, I found Miles a compassionate and caring character who was drawn into something from his almost forgotten past, that even he couldn't fathom! Highly recommended.
One of his biological children, Chloe Swanson, connected with him easily enough. But it was what was happening - gradually and with sinister connotations - that had Miles and Chloe frightened. One by one, the children were being eliminated; totally erased so nothing was left. What was happening? Why would someone target those who Miles was trying to find? And would Chloe be next?
Find You First by Linwood Barclay is a twisted psychological thriller which captivated me from the start! 501 pages flew by, and as each plot piece was revealed, I was gobsmacked! A clever and for me, original plotline, I found Miles a compassionate and caring character who was drawn into something from his almost forgotten past, that even he couldn't fathom! Highly recommended.
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