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Good as Dead
It all starts with a promise from a stranger: We’ll take care of everything.
Holly Kendrick’s husband is dead. Holly saw it all. In one violent moment, a hit-and-run accident turns Holly’s life upside down. Then a fixer for the high-powered guilty party approaches Holly with an offer she is in no position to refuse. Holly and her daughter, Savannah, will want for nothing, beginning with a luxury dream house—all for the price of their silence. But when their sudden appearance in privileged Calabasas, California, piques the curiosity of neighbors, the price becomes greater than they imagined. Because Holly and Savannah aren’t the only ones in the neighborhood with something to hide.
Told from alternating points of view, Good as Dead draws together an unlikely group of people bound to one another by a crime, a cover-up, and compounding deceptions. As carefully constructed lives begin to crumble, how far will everyone be willing to go to bury the truth and protect the people they love?
Holly Kendrick’s husband is dead. Holly saw it all. In one violent moment, a hit-and-run accident turns Holly’s life upside down. Then a fixer for the high-powered guilty party approaches Holly with an offer she is in no position to refuse. Holly and her daughter, Savannah, will want for nothing, beginning with a luxury dream house—all for the price of their silence. But when their sudden appearance in privileged Calabasas, California, piques the curiosity of neighbors, the price becomes greater than they imagined. Because Holly and Savannah aren’t the only ones in the neighborhood with something to hide.
Told from alternating points of view, Good as Dead draws together an unlikely group of people bound to one another by a crime, a cover-up, and compounding deceptions. As carefully constructed lives begin to crumble, how far will everyone be willing to go to bury the truth and protect the people they love?
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2021
4214 people are currently reading
13127 people want to read
About the author
Susan Walter
6 books575 followersSusan Walter is a recovering screenwriter and film director who started writing books to kill people because it was frowned upon in real life. Her first two novels, “Good as Dead” and “Over Her Dead Body” are set in the movie business, but then she discovered there are places that are even more dangerous. She is now murdering people on airplanes, on ski hills, and in safehouses while on the run from organized crime.
A sometimes director, her Netflix movie ALL I WISH, which she also wrote, stars Sharon Stone and Tony Goldwyn and won a screenwriting award that you have never heard of, but that she is proud of nonetheless. Her latest novel, "Letters from Strangers," is based on the real-life mystery that riddled her own childhood. You can learn more about Susan at www.susanwalterwriter.com, and thanks for stopping by!
A sometimes director, her Netflix movie ALL I WISH, which she also wrote, stars Sharon Stone and Tony Goldwyn and won a screenwriting award that you have never heard of, but that she is proud of nonetheless. Her latest novel, "Letters from Strangers," is based on the real-life mystery that riddled her own childhood. You can learn more about Susan at www.susanwalterwriter.com, and thanks for stopping by!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,459 reviews
October 1, 2021
Exciting Premise!
Good As Dead is a fast-paced psychological thriller about a coverup that leads to murder.
Holly and her husband are victims of a deadly hit and run. Holly survives, but her husband dies at the scene. The driver of the hit-and-run vehicle has much to protect, and he calls in his fixer, Evan, to make Holly a deal she can’t refuse, putting Holly and her daughter in grave danger.
The chapters are split between six points of view: Evan, the fixer, Holly, the accident victim, her daughter, Savannah, Holly’s nosy neighbors Libby and Andy, and to top it all of, mysterious Jack. The characters are easy to keep track of, but having the narrative split amongst each perspective watered down the plot and the character development. I didn’t really care about any of the characters, but I did find most of their perspectives entertaining.
Every chapter begins with a flashback to 3 months ago and then switches to the present. This became repetitive. However, each chapter is short and to the point, making this an easy read.
I loved the premise of this one, but too many characters and a plot that spirals out of control knocked it down for me. The armchair detective who solves the mystery had me rolling my eyes. If it was that easy, wouldn’t someone else connect the dots? The ending felt contrived. Despite all my nitpicking, this was an enjoyable and entertaining popcorn thriller.
Good As Dead is a fast-paced psychological thriller about a coverup that leads to murder.
Holly and her husband are victims of a deadly hit and run. Holly survives, but her husband dies at the scene. The driver of the hit-and-run vehicle has much to protect, and he calls in his fixer, Evan, to make Holly a deal she can’t refuse, putting Holly and her daughter in grave danger.
The chapters are split between six points of view: Evan, the fixer, Holly, the accident victim, her daughter, Savannah, Holly’s nosy neighbors Libby and Andy, and to top it all of, mysterious Jack. The characters are easy to keep track of, but having the narrative split amongst each perspective watered down the plot and the character development. I didn’t really care about any of the characters, but I did find most of their perspectives entertaining.
Every chapter begins with a flashback to 3 months ago and then switches to the present. This became repetitive. However, each chapter is short and to the point, making this an easy read.
I loved the premise of this one, but too many characters and a plot that spirals out of control knocked it down for me. The armchair detective who solves the mystery had me rolling my eyes. If it was that easy, wouldn’t someone else connect the dots? The ending felt contrived. Despite all my nitpicking, this was an enjoyable and entertaining popcorn thriller.
December 2, 2022
The Crime: Holly Kendrick’s husband was killed by a hit and run driver, and the accident was caught on a Dash Cam.
The Cover-Up: A fixer for the high powered guilty party approaches Holly and her daughter, Savannah, in the hospital and offers to pay all medical bills, and set them up with a luxury home and enough money to live a comfortable life in exchange for their silence.
The neighbors, Andy, a former investigative reporter and his wife, Libby are suspicious of their new neighbors. Holly should’ve just said her husband had a good life insurance policy and left it at that.
BUT SECRETS CAN BE SO HARD TO KEEP-WHY DO WE WANT TO TELL JUST ONE PERSON?
Be careful who you confide in-or the walls of that gorgeous new house may come crumbling down..
Told from alternating viewpoints, in short chapters, the pace was taut, and the tension continued to build. I was pleasantly surprised by this one and it entertained me from cover to cover!
A debut by screenwriter, Susan Walter-looking forward to seeing what’s next!
AVAILABLE NOW!
October 11, 2021
***NOW AVAILABLE, LOVED THIS ONE***
Wow this was a wonderful surprise, I received this book through Amazon Prime’s First To Read program and it’s a really great debut!!
This thriller started out at a quick pace and I had trouble putting it down, always a good sign!!
Holly Kendrick has a wonderful husband and a 17 year old daughter whom she loves dearly and they have a good relationship. Life is good, money is tight but Holly has confidence that her husband will turn things around.
That is, until the morning when Holly and her husband Gabe are involved in a horrific hit and run accident. The driver of a large SUV literally tore the door off of their car, killing Gabe and leaving Holly on the road, twisted, her knee terribly broken and she is in great pain. She can’t get the scene of the accident out of her head!! How could someone be so callous as to drive away from this accident which killed her husband?? There must be some way to track down who he is??? There has to be someone to blame for turning their lives upside down.
While Holly is recovering in the hospital, so traumatized that she can’t make any decisions, her daughter Savannah is approached by Evan, a high profile “fixer” who offers them a beautiful home and all the money they need to live in the affluent suburb of Calabasas, California.
All they have to do is to keep quiet about what they saw during the accident. Holly doesn’t remember much, but Savannah knows something that could break this case wide open!!!
Savannah knows that they desperately need the money. Her mom won’t be able to work for a long while, they have lost her father and his income and the medical bills are mounting.
They accept the offer even though Holly is reluctant, she knows this isn’t right, that justice isn’t being done!!
The neighbors across the street are wondering how and who bought this beautiful house for Holly???? They just don’t seem to belong with their inexpensive clothes, etc. Andy is a screenwriter and his wife is at home with their two little girls.
WELL AROUND AND AROUND AND AROUND WE GO, WHERE IT STOPS NOBODY KNOWS!!
When all of the puzzle pieces become linked together, this was a great thriller!! There are people who you should trust and those that you’d never guess had anything to do with the accident. I hope this novel will keep you guessing throughout as it did me.
If you belong to Amazon Prime you might want to snatch this one up. Otherwise it is set to publish on October 1, 2021.
Wow this was a wonderful surprise, I received this book through Amazon Prime’s First To Read program and it’s a really great debut!!
This thriller started out at a quick pace and I had trouble putting it down, always a good sign!!
Holly Kendrick has a wonderful husband and a 17 year old daughter whom she loves dearly and they have a good relationship. Life is good, money is tight but Holly has confidence that her husband will turn things around.
That is, until the morning when Holly and her husband Gabe are involved in a horrific hit and run accident. The driver of a large SUV literally tore the door off of their car, killing Gabe and leaving Holly on the road, twisted, her knee terribly broken and she is in great pain. She can’t get the scene of the accident out of her head!! How could someone be so callous as to drive away from this accident which killed her husband?? There must be some way to track down who he is??? There has to be someone to blame for turning their lives upside down.
While Holly is recovering in the hospital, so traumatized that she can’t make any decisions, her daughter Savannah is approached by Evan, a high profile “fixer” who offers them a beautiful home and all the money they need to live in the affluent suburb of Calabasas, California.
All they have to do is to keep quiet about what they saw during the accident. Holly doesn’t remember much, but Savannah knows something that could break this case wide open!!!
Savannah knows that they desperately need the money. Her mom won’t be able to work for a long while, they have lost her father and his income and the medical bills are mounting.
They accept the offer even though Holly is reluctant, she knows this isn’t right, that justice isn’t being done!!
The neighbors across the street are wondering how and who bought this beautiful house for Holly???? They just don’t seem to belong with their inexpensive clothes, etc. Andy is a screenwriter and his wife is at home with their two little girls.
WELL AROUND AND AROUND AND AROUND WE GO, WHERE IT STOPS NOBODY KNOWS!!
When all of the puzzle pieces become linked together, this was a great thriller!! There are people who you should trust and those that you’d never guess had anything to do with the accident. I hope this novel will keep you guessing throughout as it did me.
If you belong to Amazon Prime you might want to snatch this one up. Otherwise it is set to publish on October 1, 2021.
November 7, 2021
*Narrated by: Kimberly Woods, Suzanne Elise Freeman, James Anderson Foster, Selah Victor, Jack Turner and Seth Podowitz
*Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins
Bet you can't keep a secret!
This was an Audible purchase and I also had the kindle copy from Amazon Prime First Read. The narrators were so good that I ended up listening to almost the entire book!
For me it was a crazy, fast-paced, easy to get hooked on the plot kind of book (say that fast 3x)!
Holly's husband dies in front of her during a hit and run. Someone knows who the guilty driver is and sends in a "fixer". No worries he promises and the scene is set.
The twists come rolling in and the last chapter has a sense of urgency as things are revealed.
"If it is true, do I want to know?" Interesting question and we will soon find out.
I questioned a few things as always, but I enjoyed it a lot! Sign me up for Susan Walter's next novel.
Read in November 2021
*Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins
Bet you can't keep a secret!
This was an Audible purchase and I also had the kindle copy from Amazon Prime First Read. The narrators were so good that I ended up listening to almost the entire book!
For me it was a crazy, fast-paced, easy to get hooked on the plot kind of book (say that fast 3x)!
Holly's husband dies in front of her during a hit and run. Someone knows who the guilty driver is and sends in a "fixer". No worries he promises and the scene is set.
The twists come rolling in and the last chapter has a sense of urgency as things are revealed.
"If it is true, do I want to know?" Interesting question and we will soon find out.
I questioned a few things as always, but I enjoyed it a lot! Sign me up for Susan Walter's next novel.
Read in November 2021
January 21, 2024
4.5🌟
A deal with the devil.
After losing her husband in a tragic hit and run, Holly and her daughter Savannah are left to put the pieces of their lives back together. They can either cooperate with the police and give them information that will lead to the runaway driver. Or they can accept an unexpected offer giving them and the life they never could have imagined.
But of course, everything comes with a price!
Bravo, Susan Walter! What an incredibly twisty little novel you gave us readers! I loved all the different points of views and how the puzzle came together piece by piece! So well planned out and executed!🙌
This is the second book I’ve read from this author and still have one more Over Her Dead Body to keep me busy until her newest book Cold is released.
A deal with the devil.
After losing her husband in a tragic hit and run, Holly and her daughter Savannah are left to put the pieces of their lives back together. They can either cooperate with the police and give them information that will lead to the runaway driver. Or they can accept an unexpected offer giving them and the life they never could have imagined.
But of course, everything comes with a price!
Bravo, Susan Walter! What an incredibly twisty little novel you gave us readers! I loved all the different points of views and how the puzzle came together piece by piece! So well planned out and executed!🙌
This is the second book I’ve read from this author and still have one more Over Her Dead Body to keep me busy until her newest book Cold is released.
August 27, 2024
Holly Kendrick wakes up in a hospital room to realize she was badly injured but to find her husband was killed in a horrible hit-and-run accident. Holly's daughter Savannah only fifteen years old has never left her bedside. What Holly doesn't know yet is that a fixer had been to see her already and has made a compromising deal with Savannah to upend their life again but in the best financial way possible only if they keep a silence pact to never speak of this accident to anyone again. What price can one attach to the death of a loved one when he meant the entire world to his family. When one makes a deal with the devil can they really believe that life will become a Happily Ever After Story?
This was a very interesting story taking place in Calabasas, Ca., where everyone lives the good and expensive lives. When you come from low to average income can you really adjust and fit in to the extravagant lifestyle that is expected or would you feel like a fraud the way Holly felt?
"Money can't buy happiness" is the statement at the heart of this scenario and continually shows itself throughout the story. There were a few very good twists and the ending was an unexpected shocker which was the "icing on the cake". I enjoyed the book while I don't think it will be a memorable one for me.
I have given this story a rating of 3 OUTRAGEOUS 🌟🌟🌟 STARS!!
This was a very interesting story taking place in Calabasas, Ca., where everyone lives the good and expensive lives. When you come from low to average income can you really adjust and fit in to the extravagant lifestyle that is expected or would you feel like a fraud the way Holly felt?
"Money can't buy happiness" is the statement at the heart of this scenario and continually shows itself throughout the story. There were a few very good twists and the ending was an unexpected shocker which was the "icing on the cake". I enjoyed the book while I don't think it will be a memorable one for me.
I have given this story a rating of 3 OUTRAGEOUS 🌟🌟🌟 STARS!!
October 27, 2021
Savannah is brought to her knees when she is informed at school that her mother and father were involved in a hit and run that left her mother severely injured and her father dead. When she arrives at the hospital there is a strange man by her mother Holly’s bed, and he comes with an even stranger offer. This man, Evan, is a lawyer and fixer for a wealthy and powerful man, one who has a vested interest in making sure the driver is never found or charged. Already struggling for money before the family’s breadwinner was killed, an offer of fully paid medical bills, a beautiful new home, and never having to worry about money troubles again is enough to cause the stressed and traumatized pair to make a deal with the devil.
Three months later, Holly and Savannah have barely moved into their new home before the neighbors start to have suspicions something isn't right. Will the house of cards tumble nearly as soon as it's begun to be built, and are the neighbors the only thing they have to worry about?
I think this was a decent debut. There’s promise here and I really enjoyed the exploration of justice as a moral concept as well as inequities in the legal and justice system.
This novel follows a really interesting format. Time jumps and multiple POVs seem to be all the rage with thrillers lately, and this does both, but in a somewhat unique way. We follow six characters, and each gets a chapter 3 months ago when the accident happened as well as one in the present before we jump to another character. The problem with this is that often as soon as the action ramped up, we were in another character’s head and another timeline. All of the momentum was lost. On the other hand, my favorite parts of the book were the chapters that exacerbated this problem the most.
You see, I enjoyed the chapters about the neighbors much more than anyone else’s. And really, those chapters were mostly unnecessary to the plot. Andy was sympathetic off the bat, and you can feel the author’s love of writing in his chapters where he is speaking about his craft. I also warmed up to his wife Libby much more than I expected. I would absolutely read a book about their marriage sans the rest of the crazy plot. In fact, I think perhaps the author may have better luck in another genre, because most of my issues with this book were related to the thriller portion.
I found the plot progression and twists to be really predictable, the ending to be trite and cliché, and the author was far too heavy-handed with obvious foreshadowing (think multiple instances of “If only I knew things were about to get much worse”). Luckily, all of those issues are things that can easily be improved over time or would likely cease to be issues at all if she chooses to write in another genre.
As an avid mystery, thriller, and suspense reader, I’m used to giving content warnings for dark and violent things. Imagine my surprise to be calling out an abundance of references to God and religion. I just… was not expecting the amount of prayer, talk of writing flowing through someone as if by a divine creator, etc. Not my thing, but while distracting, it wasn’t enough to make me put the book down. But it did feel a little like a sneaky religious parable or something to me.
Three months later, Holly and Savannah have barely moved into their new home before the neighbors start to have suspicions something isn't right. Will the house of cards tumble nearly as soon as it's begun to be built, and are the neighbors the only thing they have to worry about?
I think this was a decent debut. There’s promise here and I really enjoyed the exploration of justice as a moral concept as well as inequities in the legal and justice system.
This novel follows a really interesting format. Time jumps and multiple POVs seem to be all the rage with thrillers lately, and this does both, but in a somewhat unique way. We follow six characters, and each gets a chapter 3 months ago when the accident happened as well as one in the present before we jump to another character. The problem with this is that often as soon as the action ramped up, we were in another character’s head and another timeline. All of the momentum was lost. On the other hand, my favorite parts of the book were the chapters that exacerbated this problem the most.
You see, I enjoyed the chapters about the neighbors much more than anyone else’s. And really, those chapters were mostly unnecessary to the plot. Andy was sympathetic off the bat, and you can feel the author’s love of writing in his chapters where he is speaking about his craft. I also warmed up to his wife Libby much more than I expected. I would absolutely read a book about their marriage sans the rest of the crazy plot. In fact, I think perhaps the author may have better luck in another genre, because most of my issues with this book were related to the thriller portion.
I found the plot progression and twists to be really predictable, the ending to be trite and cliché, and the author was far too heavy-handed with obvious foreshadowing (think multiple instances of “If only I knew things were about to get much worse”). Luckily, all of those issues are things that can easily be improved over time or would likely cease to be issues at all if she chooses to write in another genre.
As an avid mystery, thriller, and suspense reader, I’m used to giving content warnings for dark and violent things. Imagine my surprise to be calling out an abundance of references to God and religion. I just… was not expecting the amount of prayer, talk of writing flowing through someone as if by a divine creator, etc. Not my thing, but while distracting, it wasn’t enough to make me put the book down. But it did feel a little like a sneaky religious parable or something to me.
September 6, 2021
The lives of Holly Kendrick and her 16 year old daughter, Savannah, are irrevocably changed one morning when a hit and run accident claims the life of Holly’s husband, Gabriel. With her mother still unconscious in hospital, Savannah is left to consider the offer from a stranger, a ‘fixer’ for a wealthy celebrity, to take care of everything if she would only get rid of the dash cam footage. Neither Holly nor Savannah want to accept this ‘blood money’ but with Holly’s injuries and no income what is the family to do? Holly agrees simply so that Savannah can have a more comfortable life. But of course secrets have a habit of leaking out when most inconvenient.
Evan, the fixer, arranges a rather splendid new home for the Kendricks in an upmarket area where Savannah might meet ‘the right people’. He also pays their bills, provides credit cards and so on. Holly is moved in but is never comfortable with the fancy house and the whole setup but Savannah seems happy so she goes with it. The neighbours try and be welcoming but the dynamic is a little off. Holly can’t help feeling like a fraud.
But when Savannah gets herself a boyfriend Holly is happy for her daughter. Little do any of the players know that the whole cover-up is about to be blown up!
This was rather impressive for a debut book. It was somewhat plausible but maybe more so for Californians and celebrities. The plot was different and good. The pacing worked well because we knew from the start that something awful was going to happen so tension mounted throughout the story. I thought the characters were well portrayed. Holly was never comfortable with her new found wealth but wanted the best for her daughter. The neighbours were trying desperately to be upwardly mobile but they were also very nice people and came through when needed. In fact it was the curiosity of the husband (a former investigative journalist and aspiring screenwriter) that drove a fair bit of the drama.
This was a story about how far you would go to protect someone you loved and the cost of keeping secrets. It also explores the question of whether money can buy happiness. I enjoyed the story and would be happy to read more from this author. Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
Evan, the fixer, arranges a rather splendid new home for the Kendricks in an upmarket area where Savannah might meet ‘the right people’. He also pays their bills, provides credit cards and so on. Holly is moved in but is never comfortable with the fancy house and the whole setup but Savannah seems happy so she goes with it. The neighbours try and be welcoming but the dynamic is a little off. Holly can’t help feeling like a fraud.
But when Savannah gets herself a boyfriend Holly is happy for her daughter. Little do any of the players know that the whole cover-up is about to be blown up!
This was rather impressive for a debut book. It was somewhat plausible but maybe more so for Californians and celebrities. The plot was different and good. The pacing worked well because we knew from the start that something awful was going to happen so tension mounted throughout the story. I thought the characters were well portrayed. Holly was never comfortable with her new found wealth but wanted the best for her daughter. The neighbours were trying desperately to be upwardly mobile but they were also very nice people and came through when needed. In fact it was the curiosity of the husband (a former investigative journalist and aspiring screenwriter) that drove a fair bit of the drama.
This was a story about how far you would go to protect someone you loved and the cost of keeping secrets. It also explores the question of whether money can buy happiness. I enjoyed the story and would be happy to read more from this author. Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
October 22, 2021
Amazon Prime First Read.
Holly Kendrick is in a terrible accident in which her husband is killed. Evan takes care of the hospital bills and much more besides but has Holly made a pact with the devil? The story is told from multiple perspectives from three months ago and in the present day.
I like the first half of this much better than the second when it becomes much too easy to figure out what is going on. There are far too many points of view so it lacks depth which I think would have made it much more interesting and because there are so many there’s some repetition. Too many things happen that stretch credulity right from the start, the odd one, ok, I can go with the flow but what happens becomes a plot contrivance. Evan is a lawyer in the Ray Donovan mould and there’s one thing that gives the whole game away that I’m certain would not have happened as it’s a rookie error.
Overall, it’s a decent read and a promising debut but it’s not a book I’ll remember for long.
Holly Kendrick is in a terrible accident in which her husband is killed. Evan takes care of the hospital bills and much more besides but has Holly made a pact with the devil? The story is told from multiple perspectives from three months ago and in the present day.
I like the first half of this much better than the second when it becomes much too easy to figure out what is going on. There are far too many points of view so it lacks depth which I think would have made it much more interesting and because there are so many there’s some repetition. Too many things happen that stretch credulity right from the start, the odd one, ok, I can go with the flow but what happens becomes a plot contrivance. Evan is a lawyer in the Ray Donovan mould and there’s one thing that gives the whole game away that I’m certain would not have happened as it’s a rookie error.
Overall, it’s a decent read and a promising debut but it’s not a book I’ll remember for long.
November 21, 2023
I absolutely LOVED it!! ❤️Guys… I was in a total book slump.. I picked up 5 books… nothing was hooking me… I thought who can always get my total attention from page one? 🤔 Yesss!! @susanwalterauthor does it AGAIN!! 👏👏 This book starts with a BANG and never lets up!! 5 fantastic stars!!
Holly watches her husband plowed down by a hit and run driver 🚘 …in broad daylight…..devastated… she doesn’t know where to turn… and then the “fixer” aka Evan shows up. 😬What is he up to?? 🤔
Holly makes a deal with the devil 😈… Can she live with herself?? As the gifts🎁 keep rolling in… the neighbors get suspicious…. 🤨….STEP AWAY from the Pottery Barn Holly…😂 …I worked at Pottery Barn as a manager for years.. so I enjoyed the nod to PB!! 😉👏… Anyways…Holly WHAT are you thinking?? 😳… I swear I would be getting the hell out of dodge… 🏃♀️..aka Calabasas…🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
So I thought I knew where this was going.. but I was wrong. 😂 There literally was a moment where the whole story came together. 🤯 I never saw that coming!! This was a hell of a debut!! 😍
❤️❤️❤️ So now I have read all of @susanwalterauthor books. All have been 5 star reads!! I seriously can’t recommend her books enough!! ❤️Do you have a favorite @susanwalterauthor book?
Holly watches her husband plowed down by a hit and run driver 🚘 …in broad daylight…..devastated… she doesn’t know where to turn… and then the “fixer” aka Evan shows up. 😬What is he up to?? 🤔
Holly makes a deal with the devil 😈… Can she live with herself?? As the gifts🎁 keep rolling in… the neighbors get suspicious…. 🤨….STEP AWAY from the Pottery Barn Holly…😂 …I worked at Pottery Barn as a manager for years.. so I enjoyed the nod to PB!! 😉👏… Anyways…Holly WHAT are you thinking?? 😳… I swear I would be getting the hell out of dodge… 🏃♀️..aka Calabasas…🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
So I thought I knew where this was going.. but I was wrong. 😂 There literally was a moment where the whole story came together. 🤯 I never saw that coming!! This was a hell of a debut!! 😍
❤️❤️❤️ So now I have read all of @susanwalterauthor books. All have been 5 star reads!! I seriously can’t recommend her books enough!! ❤️Do you have a favorite @susanwalterauthor book?
October 22, 2021
Audi0 - 5 Stars
Story - 5 STars
Wow! I don't know how I didn't see that twist until almost the end.
Story - 5 STars
Wow! I don't know how I didn't see that twist until almost the end.
December 10, 2021
3.5 Stars
Told in multiple POV, 1st person, it’s a standalone novel. "Good as Dead" is Susan Walter's debut novel and I think for her first book it was good (not great, but good). It’s good-written and contains short chapters and every chapter starts with a flashback from three months ago. The plot is about a hit-and-run mystery. My major problem was I guessed the mystery/twist early on and I guessed it right but still, I was intrigued enough to turn pages. It’s an easy read and fast-paced with a satisfying ending. Overall, despite not being wowed, I liked it and hope you enjoy it as well!
Ps. Special thanks to my dear friend Lyn for this recommendation, appreciate it!
Told in multiple POV, 1st person, it’s a standalone novel. "Good as Dead" is Susan Walter's debut novel and I think for her first book it was good (not great, but good). It’s good-written and contains short chapters and every chapter starts with a flashback from three months ago. The plot is about a hit-and-run mystery. My major problem was I guessed the mystery/twist early on and I guessed it right but still, I was intrigued enough to turn pages. It’s an easy read and fast-paced with a satisfying ending. Overall, despite not being wowed, I liked it and hope you enjoy it as well!
Ps. Special thanks to my dear friend Lyn for this recommendation, appreciate it!
August 26, 2021
I couldn't put this book down. This book kept me guessing all the way until the end. A hit and run results in the death of the main characters husband. Whoever is responsible has a lot of money and offers to trade her a life of wealth for her silence. It all continues on from there. Can money buy happiness?
Overall I really enjoyed this book. You get a little bit of everything. Dark and messed up people doing dark and messed up things, family drama, Hollywood glamour....
Overall I really enjoyed this book. You get a little bit of everything. Dark and messed up people doing dark and messed up things, family drama, Hollywood glamour....
September 17, 2021
“But like my life, my heart has been ravaged. I peer inside only to find it is barren, broken, as good as dead. ”
Good as Dead is a suspense/thriller by debut author Susan Walter that I received from September 2021 Amazon First Reads , free for Prime members (or $1.99 for others).
Holly Kendrick woke up in the hospital with injuries she got in an accident that killed her beloved husband of seventeen years. Her daughter, Savannah, 16 years, was by her side along with Evan, a stranger to Holly. Evan, or rather Evan’s boss, was offering to relocate Holly and Savannah, and take care of all their needs in exchange for their silence about the accident. Holly was both devastated over the death of her husband, Gabe, and terrified about how she would care for Savannah and herself with her scant education and severely injured leg. She and Gabe had been living paycheck to paycheck with them both working; how could she possible do this by herself. Without family support or other resources, Holly found out that Savannah had already accepted help from Evan, forcing her agreement. Holly soon found out “living a lie was the worst kind of curse.”
Told in alternating point of views by six characters. Each character began with a look back at events from three months earlier, then from the present. The transitions in the short chapters were easy to follow. This format revealed the facts a little at a time, so my interest was engaged fully, and I wanted to keep reading to find out more.
I think the less you know about the characters and plot before reading, the better reading experience you will have. Part of the fun was figuring out who the players were and how they connected to each other.
The first half of the book built the story. Hints were dropped and I began suspecting the outcome. But there were more layers to this than I anticipated.
The last half built the suspense at a steady pace, adding more pieces of the puzzle. The tension kept me turning pages. I was not disappointed with, nor did not see that twist coming. Everything concluded well and each character got a turn in the three-months-later epilogue.
Good as Dead was unputdownable from the start and gave me an ending that was satisfying. It held my attention to the very end. I would recommend this to fans of domestic suspense who enjoy a psychological focus sans gore.
Content warning:
Good as Dead is a suspense/thriller by debut author Susan Walter that I received from September 2021 Amazon First Reads , free for Prime members (or $1.99 for others).
Holly Kendrick woke up in the hospital with injuries she got in an accident that killed her beloved husband of seventeen years. Her daughter, Savannah, 16 years, was by her side along with Evan, a stranger to Holly. Evan, or rather Evan’s boss, was offering to relocate Holly and Savannah, and take care of all their needs in exchange for their silence about the accident. Holly was both devastated over the death of her husband, Gabe, and terrified about how she would care for Savannah and herself with her scant education and severely injured leg. She and Gabe had been living paycheck to paycheck with them both working; how could she possible do this by herself. Without family support or other resources, Holly found out that Savannah had already accepted help from Evan, forcing her agreement. Holly soon found out “living a lie was the worst kind of curse.”
Told in alternating point of views by six characters. Each character began with a look back at events from three months earlier, then from the present. The transitions in the short chapters were easy to follow. This format revealed the facts a little at a time, so my interest was engaged fully, and I wanted to keep reading to find out more.
I think the less you know about the characters and plot before reading, the better reading experience you will have. Part of the fun was figuring out who the players were and how they connected to each other.
The first half of the book built the story. Hints were dropped and I began suspecting the outcome. But there were more layers to this than I anticipated.
The last half built the suspense at a steady pace, adding more pieces of the puzzle. The tension kept me turning pages. I was not disappointed with, nor did not see that twist coming. Everything concluded well and each character got a turn in the three-months-later epilogue.
Good as Dead was unputdownable from the start and gave me an ending that was satisfying. It held my attention to the very end. I would recommend this to fans of domestic suspense who enjoy a psychological focus sans gore.
Content warning:
March 5, 2022
Crazy twists, enjoyed every page of it. Some parts were hard to follow along as it's present time then 3 months ago and so on. But totally worth the read! I absolutely didn't expect it to play out how it did.
October 10, 2021
After going through a long period of crazy work times with no time to read, I was looking for a true escapist thriller. This one fit the bill perfectly. A fast and suspenseful read with plenty of intrigue and just the right amount of twists and turns.
This book is told by multiple narrators, and begins with a horrible car accident, the family whose life it shattered, and the man who is desperate to cover it up. The characters in the book lead lives that are intertwined in mysterious and coincidental ways, and these intersections reveal themselves slowly throughout the book. I really liked the character of Savannah, the sixteen-year-old daughter at the center of the family tragedy who decides to take matters into her own hands. Some of the plot twists in the book were fairly predictable, but they were satisfying and well-executed. The motivations of all the characters are interesting and fully realized with some fun twists and surprises.
The book never loses steam and is fun to read from start to finish — very fast-paced with a lot of suspense. Interesting issues, from Hollywood deals to keeping up with the Joneses, are featured. The characters are very well drawn. I was very impressed with this debut effort and look forward to reading more thrillers by Susan Walter!
Thanks to Lake Union and NetGalley for the ARC of this fun thriller.
This book is told by multiple narrators, and begins with a horrible car accident, the family whose life it shattered, and the man who is desperate to cover it up. The characters in the book lead lives that are intertwined in mysterious and coincidental ways, and these intersections reveal themselves slowly throughout the book. I really liked the character of Savannah, the sixteen-year-old daughter at the center of the family tragedy who decides to take matters into her own hands. Some of the plot twists in the book were fairly predictable, but they were satisfying and well-executed. The motivations of all the characters are interesting and fully realized with some fun twists and surprises.
The book never loses steam and is fun to read from start to finish — very fast-paced with a lot of suspense. Interesting issues, from Hollywood deals to keeping up with the Joneses, are featured. The characters are very well drawn. I was very impressed with this debut effort and look forward to reading more thrillers by Susan Walter!
Thanks to Lake Union and NetGalley for the ARC of this fun thriller.
December 14, 2021
A hit-and-run accident which seriously injures Holly and kills her husband turns Holly Kendrick’s life upside down. A fixer for the guilty party offers a whole new lifestyle to Holly and her daughter Savannah, including a new home in an upper class neighbourhood in Los Angeles. In return they must keep silent about the accident.
The story is told in nice short chapters from the alternating viewpoints of the main characters going back 3 months and then forward to the present. This is another book that I enjoyed much more than I expected to. It was well written and a quick read with good characters and a novel plot, quite different from the usual storyline. I was happy with the epilogue which wrapped everything up nicely. This is the author's first novel and I really hope she intends to write more. Recommended.
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: October 1, 2021
The story is told in nice short chapters from the alternating viewpoints of the main characters going back 3 months and then forward to the present. This is another book that I enjoyed much more than I expected to. It was well written and a quick read with good characters and a novel plot, quite different from the usual storyline. I was happy with the epilogue which wrapped everything up nicely. This is the author's first novel and I really hope she intends to write more. Recommended.
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: October 1, 2021
February 12, 2024
Good As Dead is told from the perspective of six of the main characters; Holly, her daughter Savannah, Evan, Libby & Andy (a couple who are Holly’s neighbours, and Jack; who is an enigma. The chapters are short, punchy, and engaging but the narrative can feel a little all over the place as it jumps from character to character, and also backwards and forwards in time. The writing style was solid throughout.
”We’ll take care of everything”; this is what Holly Kendrick is told after the death of her husband in a hit and run. In comes the fixer for the guilty-party, Evan, with an offer she cannot refuse. For the price of her silence, Holly and her daughter, Savannah will be awarded the home of their dreams. And that’s just for starters.
Once they move into their new Calabases, Californian home, all eyes are on them in the neighbourhood. Who can they trust? Is this just the start of more trouble for the Kendricks?
Thank you to Netgalley/the publisher for the ARC! {Catching up with old ARCs I was sent} 🖤
4 Stars
”We’ll take care of everything”; this is what Holly Kendrick is told after the death of her husband in a hit and run. In comes the fixer for the guilty-party, Evan, with an offer she cannot refuse. For the price of her silence, Holly and her daughter, Savannah will be awarded the home of their dreams. And that’s just for starters.
Once they move into their new Calabases, Californian home, all eyes are on them in the neighbourhood. Who can they trust? Is this just the start of more trouble for the Kendricks?
Thank you to Netgalley/the publisher for the ARC! {Catching up with old ARCs I was sent} 🖤
4 Stars
October 21, 2021
Holly's husband, Walter, has been killed in a hit and run accident. But Holly and her daughter, Savannah, have been paid to millions of dollars to keep quiet. They are moved into a multi million dollar home opposite a family of nosy neighbours with their own sets of problems.
As she grieves Walter, Holly grapples with shame and guilt. Savanna, seems to be doing well. She’s in a great school and has found herself a boyfriend. Unfortunately, things are not all they seem and their house of cards is about to come crashing down on them.
This is one of those books that you can’t put down. There were plot holes but I found the story and pacing compelling enough that I could easily ignore said plot holes. The explosive premise gripped me from the beginning.
Overall I thought it was a fun-filled read with unexpected twists and turns.
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️. 5 rounded up.
As she grieves Walter, Holly grapples with shame and guilt. Savanna, seems to be doing well. She’s in a great school and has found herself a boyfriend. Unfortunately, things are not all they seem and their house of cards is about to come crashing down on them.
This is one of those books that you can’t put down. There were plot holes but I found the story and pacing compelling enough that I could easily ignore said plot holes. The explosive premise gripped me from the beginning.
Overall I thought it was a fun-filled read with unexpected twists and turns.
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️. 5 rounded up.
December 4, 2021
4.5/5
I love reading a good debut novel, and that is exactly what Good as Dead by Susan Walter is, DAMN good! In truth, you do have to suspend disbelief, and part of the end was eventually predictable to me, but I didn't mind either of these things a single bit. Walter's writing was very pacy and engaging, and even though I felt like it was a bit of a slow burn at times, the various viewpoints really help to speed things along. I also enjoyed her decision the mix past with the present as well. You would think these two things together would make it hard to follow along, but it was actually very easy, and I really appreciated the fact that I never got confused. I felt attached to every single one of these characters and found myself wishing the book would never end. I also really liked the premise of a widow and her daughter deciding to "take the money" instead of helping the cops find the person who killed their husband/dad. I haven't read a plot like this before and loved how refreshing it was.
One of the best things about Good as Dead is the audiobook that goes with it which was just fantastic. It has a full cast so there's a narrator for each viewpoint and the narrators Kimberly Woods, Suzanne Elise Freeman, James Anderson Foster, Selah Victor, Jack Turner, & Seth Podowitz were each perfect for their character. I honestly think this is a huge part of the reason why I got so attached to the characters themselves, and obviously highly recommend listening to it if you can. I was hooked from the first moment I started it, and this book gripped me the ENTIRE time. The best part is that for all you Kindle Unlimited subscribers out there, you can get both the audiobook and eBook on it. Clearly, I went the audio route, and I am thrilled I did so. With this just being Walter's debut, I really can't wait to see where she takes her future writing because I am more than here for it.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
I love reading a good debut novel, and that is exactly what Good as Dead by Susan Walter is, DAMN good! In truth, you do have to suspend disbelief, and part of the end was eventually predictable to me, but I didn't mind either of these things a single bit. Walter's writing was very pacy and engaging, and even though I felt like it was a bit of a slow burn at times, the various viewpoints really help to speed things along. I also enjoyed her decision the mix past with the present as well. You would think these two things together would make it hard to follow along, but it was actually very easy, and I really appreciated the fact that I never got confused. I felt attached to every single one of these characters and found myself wishing the book would never end. I also really liked the premise of a widow and her daughter deciding to "take the money" instead of helping the cops find the person who killed their husband/dad. I haven't read a plot like this before and loved how refreshing it was.
One of the best things about Good as Dead is the audiobook that goes with it which was just fantastic. It has a full cast so there's a narrator for each viewpoint and the narrators Kimberly Woods, Suzanne Elise Freeman, James Anderson Foster, Selah Victor, Jack Turner, & Seth Podowitz were each perfect for their character. I honestly think this is a huge part of the reason why I got so attached to the characters themselves, and obviously highly recommend listening to it if you can. I was hooked from the first moment I started it, and this book gripped me the ENTIRE time. The best part is that for all you Kindle Unlimited subscribers out there, you can get both the audiobook and eBook on it. Clearly, I went the audio route, and I am thrilled I did so. With this just being Walter's debut, I really can't wait to see where she takes her future writing because I am more than here for it.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
April 6, 2023
That had a few surprising twists. A fun and quick read.
September 4, 2021
Sometimes you have to suspend belief in order to enjoy fiction and happy to do so with a good story. With this one, though, there are so many WTF moments, starting with the paramedic who gives a victim’s purse to a bystander after loading the patient into an ambulance, to the negotiation between a multi millionaire’s lawyer and a sixteen year old, to the fixer with a heart of gold, and on and on. I like books with some semblance of logic and this one just didn’t work for me. And then that incredibly cliched ending. Just no.
Purchased this as Prime September First Read book.
Purchased this as Prime September First Read book.
March 19, 2024
«Таємна угода» Сюзан Волтер – швидкоплинний та легкий для читання психологічний трилер, в якому авторка досліджує брехню та її несподівані наслідки.
Головна героїня – Голлі Кендрік. Вона мала бідне, але щасливе життя. Одна трагедія повністю перекреслила її минуле, теперішнє й майбутнє – чоловік жіночки гине в трагічній аварії. Все її нутро говорить, що варто боротися за справедливість та покарання винного – цього б дуже хотів ї\коханий. Але так не стається. Мовчання Голлі купили – фінансовою стабільністю та сучасним будинком в крутому районі Лос-Анджелеса. Але чи це справді те, чого вона прагнула?
А от щоб дізнатись більше, то читайте самі 😉
Тепер трошки власних думок та спостережень.В "Таємна угода" використна виграшна стратегія з досвіду останніх прочитаних мною трилерів – декілька оповідачів та хронологічних ліній. Цей трюк в умілих руках дуже класно працює, створюючи в фіналі цілісну картину. Зрештою, такий метод оповіді допомагає читачеві краще познайомитись з лінійними персонажами, дізнатись більше про їх бачення світу, життєву філософію, принципи, думки та внутрішні переживання.
В такому випадку про картонність героїв не може бути й мови.
Цікаво, що і без власного досвіду авторки не обійшлось – вона працює сценаристом, тому їй було чим поділись – двоє основних героїв безпосередньо пов’язані з кіновиробництвом. Для мене це стало приємною несподіванкою – я сам 3 роки пропрацював в цій сфері, але українських реаліях, тому трошки цю кухню знаю. Як людині, що починає знайомитись ближче з письменницькою діяльністю, мені було цікаво прочитати один з розділів – чудовий мотиваційний спіч виявився вельми доцільним.
В сюжеті я не побачив дірок, все вийшло цілком логічно, але….очікувано. Як би авторка не намагалась приховати від мене правду, вже за перші 100 сторінок я зчитав всі таємниці і склав пазлик. Залишилось лише дочекатись фіналу, а очікування гнало мене вперед палицею – до фіналу, до кульмінації. Текст взагалі сам читається – зусиль мінімум, інтерес на максимумі. Магія якась, Бог його знає.
Це стабільні та заслужені 4 зірочки від мене.
Взагалі, в цьому році книги мого найулюбленішого жанру ще не розчаровували мене. Чи довго мені щаститиме?🤔
Цікава Ваша думка - плануєте читати книгу?
Головна героїня – Голлі Кендрік. Вона мала бідне, але щасливе життя. Одна трагедія повністю перекреслила її минуле, теперішнє й майбутнє – чоловік жіночки гине в трагічній аварії. Все її нутро говорить, що варто боротися за справедливість та покарання винного – цього б дуже хотів ї\коханий. Але так не стається. Мовчання Голлі купили – фінансовою стабільністю та сучасним будинком в крутому районі Лос-Анджелеса. Але чи це справді те, чого вона прагнула?
А от щоб дізнатись більше, то читайте самі 😉
Тепер трошки власних думок та спостережень.В "Таємна угода" використна виграшна стратегія з досвіду останніх прочитаних мною трилерів – декілька оповідачів та хронологічних ліній. Цей трюк в умілих руках дуже класно працює, створюючи в фіналі цілісну картину. Зрештою, такий метод оповіді допомагає читачеві краще познайомитись з лінійними персонажами, дізнатись більше про їх бачення світу, життєву філософію, принципи, думки та внутрішні переживання.
В такому випадку про картонність героїв не може бути й мови.
Цікаво, що і без власного досвіду авторки не обійшлось – вона працює сценаристом, тому їй було чим поділись – двоє основних героїв безпосередньо пов’язані з кіновиробництвом. Для мене це стало приємною несподіванкою – я сам 3 роки пропрацював в цій сфері, але українських реаліях, тому трошки цю кухню знаю. Як людині, що починає знайомитись ближче з письменницькою діяльністю, мені було цікаво прочитати один з розділів – чудовий мотиваційний спіч виявився вельми доцільним.
В сюжеті я не побачив дірок, все вийшло цілком логічно, але….очікувано. Як би авторка не намагалась приховати від мене правду, вже за перші 100 сторінок я зчитав всі таємниці і склав пазлик. Залишилось лише дочекатись фіналу, а очікування гнало мене вперед палицею – до фіналу, до кульмінації. Текст взагалі сам читається – зусиль мінімум, інтерес на максимумі. Магія якась, Бог його знає.
Це стабільні та заслужені 4 зірочки від мене.
Взагалі, в цьому році книги мого найулюбленішого жанру ще не розчаровували мене. Чи довго мені щаститиме?🤔
Цікава Ваша думка - плануєте читати книгу?
March 10, 2022
Crime, suspense, grief, perseverance, and hope … Good As Dead has all of these things. Two timelines with six points of view, was incredibly complex and very well written. This book was fast moving and kept my attention to the very end. It had a believable story line, with great characters. I very much enjoyed this read and look forward to more from this author.
April 6, 2021
Wow this is a fast paced psycho thriller! In a matter of seconds, Holly Kendrick’s life changes - first she witnessed her husband die in a hit and run accident then she accepts an offer for silence from the guilty party! Wishing for a glamorous life & a better life for her daughter, Savannah, they move into a McMansion in Calabasas, CA. Ultimately this also comes with a price. Her neighbors see right through because they have their own secrets! Good as Dead is thought provoking, placed in Holly’s shoes which would you choose? This is suspenseful & twisty, a quick read! Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and the author for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.
September 2, 2021
I loved the premise, a WWYD in this scenario. A hit-and-run driver kills your husband and then a fixer offers to make you free financially or leave you with crippling debt, which would you choose? Unfortunately the story doesn't live up to the premise.
Holly and her husband were paycheck to paycheck kind of people, so it wasn't surprising that she chose financial freedom. But for all the guilt she felt for taking the money, she didn't look very hard for an alternative. She wasn't sure if her husband had life insurance or any sort of military pension, didn't check to see if she qualified for disability while she healed, didn't know how to apply for social security. This is where she lost me, she didn't even try to find out! Just accepted the money with no consequences for the person who killed her husband, which made it hard for me to feel sorry for her. Her daughter Savannah was too proud to be a GoFundMe recipient, but had no problem spending the blood money right and left. Savannah sort of picks and chooses to which of the morals that her dad instilled in her to live by.
It was really easy for nosy neighbor Libby to figure out who owned Holly's house, and even after signing an NDA Holly spills her guts about what happened because she doesn't have any friends. She barely knew Libby, but gave her enough info to play amateur detective. Besides inserting herself into Holly's life, Libby spends most of her time whining about not having enough money and generally being unlikable.
It's a pretty short book, but it became more convoluted to longer it went on. There were weird religious parts (like "I just need to give it up to God") that popped up from time to time, but they didn't seem to fit with the story. The bad guy was too obvious, I had him pegged the minute he showed up.
The worst part was the bizarre romance at the end, which was not believable in any way. UGH.
Holly and her husband were paycheck to paycheck kind of people, so it wasn't surprising that she chose financial freedom. But for all the guilt she felt for taking the money, she didn't look very hard for an alternative. She wasn't sure if her husband had life insurance or any sort of military pension, didn't check to see if she qualified for disability while she healed, didn't know how to apply for social security. This is where she lost me, she didn't even try to find out! Just accepted the money with no consequences for the person who killed her husband, which made it hard for me to feel sorry for her. Her daughter Savannah was too proud to be a GoFundMe recipient, but had no problem spending the blood money right and left. Savannah sort of picks and chooses to which of the morals that her dad instilled in her to live by.
It was really easy for nosy neighbor Libby to figure out who owned Holly's house, and even after signing an NDA Holly spills her guts about what happened because she doesn't have any friends. She barely knew Libby, but gave her enough info to play amateur detective. Besides inserting herself into Holly's life, Libby spends most of her time whining about not having enough money and generally being unlikable.
It's a pretty short book, but it became more convoluted to longer it went on. There were weird religious parts (like "I just need to give it up to God") that popped up from time to time, but they didn't seem to fit with the story. The bad guy was too obvious, I had him pegged the minute he showed up.
The worst part was the bizarre romance at the end, which was not believable in any way. UGH.
September 16, 2021
I read this book in one sitting, over a few hours sitting on a plane. Was such an engaging read. It centers on Holly, whose husband dies in a hit-and-run accident that the perpetrator would do anything to cover up. Holly ends up agreeing to a deal that allows her to live a lavish lifestyle in exchange for her silence. You also get chapters told from the POV of a lot of other people, including Holly's daughter, her neighbor, the culprit, and his lawyer. Despite the various POVs and the back and forth between when the accident happened and current time, it's really easy to follow.
There are various levels of nice and not-so-nice people in this book, but I found all of them aroused some kind of empathy in me (except one, but you have to read the book to figure that out :)). The author did a great job of really getting you into those characters' heads to understand where they were coming from, even if you didn't agree with it.
I figured out one of the twists early on but there were multiple other twists that surprised me, and overall there was a sense of tension throughout much of the book. There are a lot of moral dilemmas in this book that really make you think. The ending was tied up maybe just a little too nicely, but I also do appreciate an ending that allows me to walk away from a book feeling like I don't have to worry about the fate of the characters.
Overall, I recommend this book and challenge you to try to put it down once you start reading it. Thanks to Amazon for providing me this book as a Prime First choice this month.
There are various levels of nice and not-so-nice people in this book, but I found all of them aroused some kind of empathy in me (except one, but you have to read the book to figure that out :)). The author did a great job of really getting you into those characters' heads to understand where they were coming from, even if you didn't agree with it.
I figured out one of the twists early on but there were multiple other twists that surprised me, and overall there was a sense of tension throughout much of the book. There are a lot of moral dilemmas in this book that really make you think. The ending was tied up maybe just a little too nicely, but I also do appreciate an ending that allows me to walk away from a book feeling like I don't have to worry about the fate of the characters.
Overall, I recommend this book and challenge you to try to put it down once you start reading it. Thanks to Amazon for providing me this book as a Prime First choice this month.
August 11, 2021
“We’ll take care of everything, of course.”
Sweetest words you ever did hear – until you come to the chilling decision that silence has a price and it’s not always monetary.
Holly Kendrick’s life changes in a split second – her husband, Gabe, comes to open her car door for her and a SUV hits both of them, killing him instantly. When their daughter, Savannah, arrives at the hospital, she finds a strange man, a fixer for the high-powered guilty party, offering to buy them a new house, pay all hospital bills, provide a top surgeon for Holly’s operation, and financial freedom in exchange for their silence. Holly is in no position to refuse and they move into an upscale neighbourhood in Calabasas, California. It doesn’t take Holly, who formerly shopped at thrift shops and didn’t have a well-padded bank account, long to figure out that the neighbours have as many secrets as she does.
This fast-paced thriller answers the question – Can money buy happiness? You’ll be presented with multiple points of view; that of the fixer, the wife, the daughter, the director, and the neighbours. They all have secrets and you’ll have a front row seat when their carefully curated lives start to crumble.
Walter also draws our attention to the impact that one single decision has, not only on the decision maker, but on those around him/her. The ripple effect has a wide wake.
Different timeline shifts and points of view mean that the reader needs to read the chapter headings carefully!
Full of twists, an eye-popping climax and secrets galore, this psychological thriller needs to be on your radar come October 1, 2021.
“What is a human life worth?”
“They say money corrupts. I was a blatant case in point.”
“I suddenly realized, money can’t buy happiness. But is sure as s$&@ can take it away.”
I was gifted this advance copy by Susan Walter, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Sweetest words you ever did hear – until you come to the chilling decision that silence has a price and it’s not always monetary.
Holly Kendrick’s life changes in a split second – her husband, Gabe, comes to open her car door for her and a SUV hits both of them, killing him instantly. When their daughter, Savannah, arrives at the hospital, she finds a strange man, a fixer for the high-powered guilty party, offering to buy them a new house, pay all hospital bills, provide a top surgeon for Holly’s operation, and financial freedom in exchange for their silence. Holly is in no position to refuse and they move into an upscale neighbourhood in Calabasas, California. It doesn’t take Holly, who formerly shopped at thrift shops and didn’t have a well-padded bank account, long to figure out that the neighbours have as many secrets as she does.
This fast-paced thriller answers the question – Can money buy happiness? You’ll be presented with multiple points of view; that of the fixer, the wife, the daughter, the director, and the neighbours. They all have secrets and you’ll have a front row seat when their carefully curated lives start to crumble.
Walter also draws our attention to the impact that one single decision has, not only on the decision maker, but on those around him/her. The ripple effect has a wide wake.
Different timeline shifts and points of view mean that the reader needs to read the chapter headings carefully!
Full of twists, an eye-popping climax and secrets galore, this psychological thriller needs to be on your radar come October 1, 2021.
“What is a human life worth?”
“They say money corrupts. I was a blatant case in point.”
“I suddenly realized, money can’t buy happiness. But is sure as s$&@ can take it away.”
I was gifted this advance copy by Susan Walter, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
June 29, 2025
Really fun, fast read. 7 plus hours of entertainment!
October 24, 2021
5 stars audio
5 riveting stars story!!!!
5 riveting stars story!!!!
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