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Hold Back the Night
As wildfires blaze in Northern California, a female SWAT team operative hunts two escaped convicts in a heart-pounding thriller inspired by real-life cases and crackling with authenticity from bestselling author and law enforcement veteran Sean Lynch.
If you think you're scared now...wait until dark.
Three unsuspecting women. Two escaped convicts. One shocking night of escalating terror. From acclaimed crime writer and law enforcement veteran Sean Lynch...
It begins with a spark. A simple act of carelessness that ignites the autumn grass of the Sierra Nevadas. In minutes, the flames spread. A raging wildfire sweeps down the mountain, engulfing a van from the local prison--giving two chained convicts a chance to escape...
Two desperate men. Psychologically disturbed. Extremely dangerous.
In Farnham County live three very different women. Marjorie Guthrie, a wealthy suburban housewife fleeing an abusive marriage; Mary Hernandez, her troubled, rebellious sister; and Leanne Strayer, a young SWAT deputy with a dark past. All three share one thing in common: they are in the wrong place at the wrong time....
Today, their worst fears come true. Tonight, the nightmares come home.
If you think you're scared now...wait until dark.
Three unsuspecting women. Two escaped convicts. One shocking night of escalating terror. From acclaimed crime writer and law enforcement veteran Sean Lynch...
It begins with a spark. A simple act of carelessness that ignites the autumn grass of the Sierra Nevadas. In minutes, the flames spread. A raging wildfire sweeps down the mountain, engulfing a van from the local prison--giving two chained convicts a chance to escape...
Two desperate men. Psychologically disturbed. Extremely dangerous.
In Farnham County live three very different women. Marjorie Guthrie, a wealthy suburban housewife fleeing an abusive marriage; Mary Hernandez, her troubled, rebellious sister; and Leanne Strayer, a young SWAT deputy with a dark past. All three share one thing in common: they are in the wrong place at the wrong time....
Today, their worst fears come true. Tonight, the nightmares come home.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2021
31 people are currently reading
770 people want to read
About the author
Sean Lynch
43 books57 followersSean Lynch served as an enlisted infantryman and spent three decades as a municipal police officer in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Learn more at www.seanlynchbooks.com
Learn more at www.seanlynchbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
April 6, 2021
4.5 stars rounded up.
That was freaking awesome! If you’re into pulse pounding action don’t miss this one. What do you get when you mix up a couple of violent escaped convicts, a Mexican drug cartel, a raging wildfire, a sheriff’s deputy with serious skills and and itchy trigger finger, a husband who won’t take responsibility for bashing his wife and a family held hostage by said convicts in the middle of said wildfire? Yep - you get this book! It hooked me in right from the start and held me captive (pun intended) until the very end.
Two convicts, Mims and Skink, are being transported to Folsom prison. The van gets caught up in a traffic jam due to the fires. They escape in the melee of fleeing people and go on the run.
Deputy Leanne Strayer of the Farnham County police department’s SWAT team kills a gang member during an arrest as he opened fire with an automatic weapon. The whole of SWAT team is transferred to other posts, Strayer ends up as a detective in Juvie - not what she had in mind but it’s not optional. But the Mexican drug cartel is out to avenge the death of one of their own. Meanwhile philandering husband, Tad Guthrie, has been given his marching orders by his wife, Marjorie. He gets angry and punches her and throws her around. Marjorie and the kids flee the house and go to her parent’s place, a remote home in the forest close to the fires.
You can guess where this is heading. But it’s not smooth sailing for anyone. There was so much potential in this story and the author did a fabulous job utilising that potential to the max and delivering a pulse pounding, action filled, epic story. This one was all about the plot. But the characters were fleshed out well enough, there were plenty to like and plenty to loathe. The pace never let up though so it’s almost a relief to have finished it, if just to take a breather! I really enjoyed this book. I’m giving it 4.5 stars rounded up for the thrills it delivered. Thanks to Netgalley, Kensington Books and Sean Lynch for providing a review copy. My opinions are my own.
That was freaking awesome! If you’re into pulse pounding action don’t miss this one. What do you get when you mix up a couple of violent escaped convicts, a Mexican drug cartel, a raging wildfire, a sheriff’s deputy with serious skills and and itchy trigger finger, a husband who won’t take responsibility for bashing his wife and a family held hostage by said convicts in the middle of said wildfire? Yep - you get this book! It hooked me in right from the start and held me captive (pun intended) until the very end.
Two convicts, Mims and Skink, are being transported to Folsom prison. The van gets caught up in a traffic jam due to the fires. They escape in the melee of fleeing people and go on the run.
Deputy Leanne Strayer of the Farnham County police department’s SWAT team kills a gang member during an arrest as he opened fire with an automatic weapon. The whole of SWAT team is transferred to other posts, Strayer ends up as a detective in Juvie - not what she had in mind but it’s not optional. But the Mexican drug cartel is out to avenge the death of one of their own. Meanwhile philandering husband, Tad Guthrie, has been given his marching orders by his wife, Marjorie. He gets angry and punches her and throws her around. Marjorie and the kids flee the house and go to her parent’s place, a remote home in the forest close to the fires.
You can guess where this is heading. But it’s not smooth sailing for anyone. There was so much potential in this story and the author did a fabulous job utilising that potential to the max and delivering a pulse pounding, action filled, epic story. This one was all about the plot. But the characters were fleshed out well enough, there were plenty to like and plenty to loathe. The pace never let up though so it’s almost a relief to have finished it, if just to take a breather! I really enjoyed this book. I’m giving it 4.5 stars rounded up for the thrills it delivered. Thanks to Netgalley, Kensington Books and Sean Lynch for providing a review copy. My opinions are my own.
August 22, 2021
The story begins with a SWAT team serving a no knock warrant for a fugitive at a trailer park. Deputy Leanne Strayer is former army with two tours in Afghanistan under her belt before becoming a deputy five years ago. She's called Deadeye. Maybe that's cause she's had more than one work related shooting.
Marjorie Guthrie is mother to nine year old Joel and 5 year old Jennifer. She's married to Tad, the spoiled rich guy, serial cheater, abuser, and overall skunk. When he hit her this last time, she's gone to stay with her parents.
Hunters unknowingly sparked what has become a raging wildfire in California. Two inmates escaped during transport due to the fire. Everyone thinks they're dead. No, they're fixing to cause a heap of trouble in one family's life.
I like character development and the author built a few as the story went along. I didn't find very many likeable characters at first although I grew to like and respect Marjorie and Leanne by the end. The wildfires were atmospheric. The author explained the symptoms of PTSD well. There's good action in this book.
I never heard of this author before I won a Kindle copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I would like to explore more of his books as I find time.
Marjorie Guthrie is mother to nine year old Joel and 5 year old Jennifer. She's married to Tad, the spoiled rich guy, serial cheater, abuser, and overall skunk. When he hit her this last time, she's gone to stay with her parents.
Hunters unknowingly sparked what has become a raging wildfire in California. Two inmates escaped during transport due to the fire. Everyone thinks they're dead. No, they're fixing to cause a heap of trouble in one family's life.
I like character development and the author built a few as the story went along. I didn't find very many likeable characters at first although I grew to like and respect Marjorie and Leanne by the end. The wildfires were atmospheric. The author explained the symptoms of PTSD well. There's good action in this book.
I never heard of this author before I won a Kindle copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I would like to explore more of his books as I find time.
September 11, 2021
I would describe HOLD BACK THE NIGHT as Grip-Lit—a psychological thriller that kept this reader engrossed until the very end. The novel is set in my neck of the woods, though the County depicted in the book is fictional, a firestorm that sweeps through Northern California—the backdrop of the story—is very real to Cali’s like me, adding a visceral tension to the narrative.
‘It begins with a spark. A simple act of carelessness that ignites the autumn grass of the Sierra Nevadas. In minutes, the flames spread.’
‘In Farnham County live three very different women. Marjorie Guthrie, a wealthy suburban housewife fleeing an abusive marriage; Mary Hernandez, her troubled, rebellious sister; and Leanne Strayer, a young SWAT deputy with a dark past. All three share one thing in common: they are in the wrong place at the wrong time….’
‘Today, their worst fears come true. Tonight, the nightmares come home.’
I LOVE a novel centered around strong women, and Lynch did not disappoint!
Highly Recommend!
Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corp., for loaning me an eGalley of HOLD BACK THE NIGHT in the request for an honest review.
Scheduled To Release On – April 27, 2021 (Subject To Change)
‘It begins with a spark. A simple act of carelessness that ignites the autumn grass of the Sierra Nevadas. In minutes, the flames spread.’
‘In Farnham County live three very different women. Marjorie Guthrie, a wealthy suburban housewife fleeing an abusive marriage; Mary Hernandez, her troubled, rebellious sister; and Leanne Strayer, a young SWAT deputy with a dark past. All three share one thing in common: they are in the wrong place at the wrong time….’
‘Today, their worst fears come true. Tonight, the nightmares come home.’
I LOVE a novel centered around strong women, and Lynch did not disappoint!
Highly Recommend!
Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corp., for loaning me an eGalley of HOLD BACK THE NIGHT in the request for an honest review.
Scheduled To Release On – April 27, 2021 (Subject To Change)
July 6, 2021
Amateur prose, a reworked plot, and a predictable ending. There were so many plot holes and grammatical errors that I was embarrassed for the author.
June 21, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
Three women are trapped in a remote house by two convicts during a forest fire. While there is action, this is really mostly a character study. I felt like there were a few too many cliches, but it manages to overcome.
Three women are trapped in a remote house by two convicts during a forest fire. While there is action, this is really mostly a character study. I felt like there were a few too many cliches, but it manages to overcome.
July 8, 2024
Like all books, slow start.... But it got better and better. What an ending!
I really like it.
I really like it.
August 4, 2021
Thank you to Net Galley and Kensington Publishing for the review copy.
Escaped prisoners, a cop with a chip on her shoulder, and a raging fire that's scorching its way across the landscape. This eco thriller puts into perspective the devastation that a small spark can play on an arid environment.
The author has experience as a fire fighter, and I think the descriptions of a wild fire, and the terrifying temperatures and destruction were the strengths of the book.
For me, the problem is that it relies so heavily on stereotypes that none of the characters are that interesting or sympathetic. Did it have it's moments, absolutely, but would I recommend it, probably not.
2.5 stars rounded up.
Escaped prisoners, a cop with a chip on her shoulder, and a raging fire that's scorching its way across the landscape. This eco thriller puts into perspective the devastation that a small spark can play on an arid environment.
The author has experience as a fire fighter, and I think the descriptions of a wild fire, and the terrifying temperatures and destruction were the strengths of the book.
For me, the problem is that it relies so heavily on stereotypes that none of the characters are that interesting or sympathetic. Did it have it's moments, absolutely, but would I recommend it, probably not.
2.5 stars rounded up.
April 27, 2021
●○𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰○●
Hold Back the Night by Sean Lynch
Pub Date: Today 🥳 April 27, 2021
𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
This book did not disappoint! Love!! Easy solid 5 stars. What a fantastic action-packed read from start to finish this was.
Let me start by saying the author, Sean Lynch spent nearly three decades as a police officer in Northern California. So you know this novel was done right. The details were intricate, leaving the story engulfed in authenticity.
Hold Back the Night centers on 3 different women, 2 escaped convicts, and a raging wildfire. Their stories are told as multiple POV's and each is so juicy you won't want to put the book down. I loved that the story was surrounded by strong women. The events that went down challenged them to the core, which resulted in the reader getting to see each character's dramatic growth.
This book read like a movie or tv series and I just could not get enough! My adrenaline junkie friends..you will devour this. Don't let it fly under your radar!
Hold Back the Night by Sean Lynch
Pub Date: Today 🥳 April 27, 2021
𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
This book did not disappoint! Love!! Easy solid 5 stars. What a fantastic action-packed read from start to finish this was.
Let me start by saying the author, Sean Lynch spent nearly three decades as a police officer in Northern California. So you know this novel was done right. The details were intricate, leaving the story engulfed in authenticity.
Hold Back the Night centers on 3 different women, 2 escaped convicts, and a raging wildfire. Their stories are told as multiple POV's and each is so juicy you won't want to put the book down. I loved that the story was surrounded by strong women. The events that went down challenged them to the core, which resulted in the reader getting to see each character's dramatic growth.
This book read like a movie or tv series and I just could not get enough! My adrenaline junkie friends..you will devour this. Don't let it fly under your radar!
February 26, 2021
A Smoking Hot Read!
What a great read! A California wildfire, escaped prisoners, and drug gang killers combined to make this adrenaline-junkie race through from the first page and onto the end in a single evening.
There were a lot of elements in this book that, in the hands of a less skillful writer, may have overwhelmed each other. I'm delighted to report that this author has what it takes to make them all come together very well. His own background doubtlessly contributed to the book's authenticity.
I liked the strength of the main female characters, balanced with the good hearts of two of Strayer's male co-workers and with Marjorie's father. I enjoyed the role that Marjorie's son, Joel, played as well. It's not exactly a feel-good novel, but there were good things found in the story, as well as a terrific thrill-ride.
I received a free advance review copy of the book in exchange for my freely given review. I loved it!
What a great read! A California wildfire, escaped prisoners, and drug gang killers combined to make this adrenaline-junkie race through from the first page and onto the end in a single evening.
There were a lot of elements in this book that, in the hands of a less skillful writer, may have overwhelmed each other. I'm delighted to report that this author has what it takes to make them all come together very well. His own background doubtlessly contributed to the book's authenticity.
I liked the strength of the main female characters, balanced with the good hearts of two of Strayer's male co-workers and with Marjorie's father. I enjoyed the role that Marjorie's son, Joel, played as well. It's not exactly a feel-good novel, but there were good things found in the story, as well as a terrific thrill-ride.
I received a free advance review copy of the book in exchange for my freely given review. I loved it!
March 29, 2021
This book should be made into a TV series!!
Reading this book was like watching an action-packed psychological thriller TV show without a single dull moment! And all the actions began at page one!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an adrenaline rush while sitting comfortably at home with a book in the lap!
Thank you netgalley and pinnaclebooks for this amazing ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Reading this book was like watching an action-packed psychological thriller TV show without a single dull moment! And all the actions began at page one!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an adrenaline rush while sitting comfortably at home with a book in the lap!
Thank you netgalley and pinnaclebooks for this amazing ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 21, 2021
I'm disappointed. This story had potential, but I couldn't suspend my disbelief, and the ending was just too much coincidence for me to take. It was also written with a smugness that was off-putting to me.
Life is short. Invest your time elsewhere.
Life is short. Invest your time elsewhere.
May 7, 2021
*Thank you to Kensington Books, NetGalley and Sean Lynch for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Previously published at https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/ho...
“It begins with a spark. A simple act of carelessness that ignites the autumn grass of the Sierra Nevada. In minutes, the flames spread.”
If you are looking for a fast-paced thriller that leaves you on the edge of your seat, unable to do anything but finish this book, Hold Back the Night is for you. If you want to read a novel with escaped convicts, Mexican drug cartels, bad-ass female police officers and a raging wildfire to top it all off, you will love this book. It held me captive until the very last sentence (pun intended).
Duane Mims is a former cop and convicted rapist and murderer. Skink is incarcerated for raping and murdering a child. They are being transported to another prison when a wildfire breaks out. They escape with minutes left before they turn to ash. On the run, they look for a place to hide and find a beautiful farmhouse.
In the opening scene of Hold Back the Night, Deputy Leanne Strayer of the Farnham County police department’s SWAT team kills a gang member at a mobile park, unfortunately hitting a little girl at the same time. They transfer her entire team to different departments during the investigation into what occurred. They transfer strayer to Juvenile, where she partners up with Benny Benavides, a seasoned cop. Unfortunately, she is now targeted by a Mexican cartel, intent on seeking revenge for one of their members.
Marjorie Guthrie has finally left her philandering and abusive husband, Tad. She has taken her two children, Jennifer and Joel, and gone to stay at the remote farmhouse her mother and father live in, an hour out into the country. Her sister Mary is there, a rebellious drug addict who has lost her way. As Mims and Skink take over the farmhouse, they lock the entire family down in the basement and so begins a terrifying and heart stopping roller coaster ride of emotion as things fall apart very quickly.
Hold Back the Night is so much more than a thriller. It is a story built on strong women that you never stop rooting for. Every character, except for the two convicts, showed significant character development. Sean Lynch has done a brilliant job taking us on a journey that never lets up the pace. With the firestorm descending on the farmhouse with minutes to spare, the reader will be unable to stop reading to see how the story ends. I was so invested in these characters. They all have such unique personalities that you can’t help but love or hate them. The character of Leanne, the cop with a dark past, especially shines in this amazing novel.
Previously published at https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/ho...
“It begins with a spark. A simple act of carelessness that ignites the autumn grass of the Sierra Nevada. In minutes, the flames spread.”
If you are looking for a fast-paced thriller that leaves you on the edge of your seat, unable to do anything but finish this book, Hold Back the Night is for you. If you want to read a novel with escaped convicts, Mexican drug cartels, bad-ass female police officers and a raging wildfire to top it all off, you will love this book. It held me captive until the very last sentence (pun intended).
Duane Mims is a former cop and convicted rapist and murderer. Skink is incarcerated for raping and murdering a child. They are being transported to another prison when a wildfire breaks out. They escape with minutes left before they turn to ash. On the run, they look for a place to hide and find a beautiful farmhouse.
In the opening scene of Hold Back the Night, Deputy Leanne Strayer of the Farnham County police department’s SWAT team kills a gang member at a mobile park, unfortunately hitting a little girl at the same time. They transfer her entire team to different departments during the investigation into what occurred. They transfer strayer to Juvenile, where she partners up with Benny Benavides, a seasoned cop. Unfortunately, she is now targeted by a Mexican cartel, intent on seeking revenge for one of their members.
Marjorie Guthrie has finally left her philandering and abusive husband, Tad. She has taken her two children, Jennifer and Joel, and gone to stay at the remote farmhouse her mother and father live in, an hour out into the country. Her sister Mary is there, a rebellious drug addict who has lost her way. As Mims and Skink take over the farmhouse, they lock the entire family down in the basement and so begins a terrifying and heart stopping roller coaster ride of emotion as things fall apart very quickly.
Hold Back the Night is so much more than a thriller. It is a story built on strong women that you never stop rooting for. Every character, except for the two convicts, showed significant character development. Sean Lynch has done a brilliant job taking us on a journey that never lets up the pace. With the firestorm descending on the farmhouse with minutes to spare, the reader will be unable to stop reading to see how the story ends. I was so invested in these characters. They all have such unique personalities that you can’t help but love or hate them. The character of Leanne, the cop with a dark past, especially shines in this amazing novel.
August 29, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, no doubts, so let me just throw the negatives out in front so we can get to the good.
Bad: Strayer is something of an annoying character; she's written as stereotypically as one can write a former-military-turned-cop female can be written, and I say that as a former military woman. It's a really tired trope. Yeah we see a lot of crap but we don't all come out with a giant chip on our shoulder. However the character is redeemed via using her as a vehicle to explain PTSD and that it's okay to get help for it. She does grow on you.
Bad: this is a moot point because of the type of story it is, but I thought the excessive descriptions of the types of weapons and calibers of bullets etc were just unnecessary to the storytelling. I'd have been just fine reading about fire fights without knowing what kind of bullet hit, that information didn't add to the story.
Bad: weird uses of question marks at the end of sentences that weren't questions. Not sure why that was done. Also some mild grammatical errors that made it seem like somebody in editing didn't do their job, but oh well.
Good: fast paced action/thriller book that reads really well. Not really my type of story but I would definitely check out the author's other works because I enjoyed this book so much. The convenience of some things happening in the story were cheesy but no less appreciated, and you can't help rooting for the heroines, despite reservations about character. I highly recommend this for a nice escape read.
Bad: Strayer is something of an annoying character; she's written as stereotypically as one can write a former-military-turned-cop female can be written, and I say that as a former military woman. It's a really tired trope. Yeah we see a lot of crap but we don't all come out with a giant chip on our shoulder. However the character is redeemed via using her as a vehicle to explain PTSD and that it's okay to get help for it. She does grow on you.
Bad: this is a moot point because of the type of story it is, but I thought the excessive descriptions of the types of weapons and calibers of bullets etc were just unnecessary to the storytelling. I'd have been just fine reading about fire fights without knowing what kind of bullet hit, that information didn't add to the story.
Bad: weird uses of question marks at the end of sentences that weren't questions. Not sure why that was done. Also some mild grammatical errors that made it seem like somebody in editing didn't do their job, but oh well.
Good: fast paced action/thriller book that reads really well. Not really my type of story but I would definitely check out the author's other works because I enjoyed this book so much. The convenience of some things happening in the story were cheesy but no less appreciated, and you can't help rooting for the heroines, despite reservations about character. I highly recommend this for a nice escape read.
May 13, 2021
I'm going to be direct. The story and premise is good...2 felons escape during a firestorm and end up taking a family hostage inside their home. They do despicable things...Yada yadda yadda...but this also coincides with a female SWATT member with a HUGE chip on her shoulder who has been through traumatic events of her own. Personally, her character is what I have a huge problem with. With the kind of attitude she puts off, having not dealt with her past til now, she has no business being a cop of any kind. And there is one instance where she's ordered to turn over her weapon and flat out refuses and then her partner gets her out of there. ( like they always do) first off...whether her superior is out to get her or not she CANNOT disobey an order to turn over her weapon that she fired...she can get another gun to use...secondly...there is no way as her superior that I would've let her leave then ignore superiors calls. Both her and her partner should've been suspended on the spot with her arrest after the shooting. Self defense doesn't matter...you have to turn over your gun. I felt that whole scene was cheesy and unrealistic and I have very little sympathy for Leanne Strayer. I understand what the author was trying to do but again...certain reactions to her behavior was unrealistic. Other than that, the book was somewhat enjoyable if disturbing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2021
You can tell that author Sean Lynch had a previous life in law enforcement by the sheer detail he packs into his latest thriller Hold Back the Night.
Coming at the reader from three fronts we have the converging stories of a potentially trigger happy and haunted law enforcement officer, two escaped convicts and a wife trying to escape her abusive marriage.
Couple all of this with a blazing forest fire and you have quite the suspense ride.
The most interesting of the narratives is law enforcement officer Leanne Strayer whose story is conventional in some senses but all the more intriguing as the narrative unfolds.
Our two escaped convicts do have some depth but are mainly there to be the villains of the piece. Lynch knows how to craft action sequences and tension and certainly goes to town with this pair.
Abused housewife Marjorie Guthrie is slightly short changed but her family which becomes increasingly more complicated as the seemingly eternal threat of the fire continues to approach.
Hold Back The Night will certainly delight fans of intense and brutal crime thrillers.
Hold Back the Night by Sean Lynch is released on 27th April 2021 in Paperback and E-book formats.
Coming at the reader from three fronts we have the converging stories of a potentially trigger happy and haunted law enforcement officer, two escaped convicts and a wife trying to escape her abusive marriage.
Couple all of this with a blazing forest fire and you have quite the suspense ride.
The most interesting of the narratives is law enforcement officer Leanne Strayer whose story is conventional in some senses but all the more intriguing as the narrative unfolds.
Our two escaped convicts do have some depth but are mainly there to be the villains of the piece. Lynch knows how to craft action sequences and tension and certainly goes to town with this pair.
Abused housewife Marjorie Guthrie is slightly short changed but her family which becomes increasingly more complicated as the seemingly eternal threat of the fire continues to approach.
Hold Back The Night will certainly delight fans of intense and brutal crime thrillers.
Hold Back the Night by Sean Lynch is released on 27th April 2021 in Paperback and E-book formats.
September 24, 2021
My adrenaline & heart rate still hasn’t slowed down after reading this one. Note to self, don’t chug coffee while reading this book. Your heart will already be beating so fast it’ll feel like it’s coming out of your chest.
A raging California wildfire sweeps down the mountain, headed for Farnham county giving two desperate, extremely dangerous, and psychologically disturbed inmates a chance to escape. Marjorie Gunthrie tries to escape her abusive marriage before the fire catches up to her & her family. SWAT deputy Leanne Strayer is not only trying to save the lives of others, but her own. Today, each person will face their worst fears and at night their nightmares will come true.
I really enjoyed this one and how exciting it was. The alternating POVs and intertwining stories made the story that much more exciting. There were a few parts throughout the story that went a little long for me and were too wordy, but the story flowed and kept me engaged the entire time. I hope this one becomes a movie because I will definitely get tickets! 4 ⭐️s
(TW: domestic violence, cheating, rape, drug use, wild fire)
A raging California wildfire sweeps down the mountain, headed for Farnham county giving two desperate, extremely dangerous, and psychologically disturbed inmates a chance to escape. Marjorie Gunthrie tries to escape her abusive marriage before the fire catches up to her & her family. SWAT deputy Leanne Strayer is not only trying to save the lives of others, but her own. Today, each person will face their worst fears and at night their nightmares will come true.
I really enjoyed this one and how exciting it was. The alternating POVs and intertwining stories made the story that much more exciting. There were a few parts throughout the story that went a little long for me and were too wordy, but the story flowed and kept me engaged the entire time. I hope this one becomes a movie because I will definitely get tickets! 4 ⭐️s
(TW: domestic violence, cheating, rape, drug use, wild fire)
March 25, 2021
This was a fast-paced, gritty story that keeps you reading. There were a few different plots and people to keep track of, but the other did a great job of fleshing them out so you knew exactly who was who and what was happening. My only complaint in that department is that the mother and daughter's names were similar (Margaret and Marjorie) so sometimes it took me a minute to remember which was which. I hope this becomes a series with more books with Strayer.
Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2022
Based on how the author (ex law enforcement) writes characters and character interactions, someone should probably check into his past for police brutality complaints. Characters are dumb, single-focused, easily escalated or calmed down. Nobody works this way at all. Plot had potential but just got overruled by the bad writing. Strangely, my biggest pet peeve was using this massive fire as a ploy device, but constantly moving it around or losing track of the timeline to work in mundane events like trick-or-treating? Come on now
June 25, 2021
As a California wildfire spreads, two dangerous convicts escape from a transport vehicle. Searching for somewhere to hole up, they come across the Hernandez family home.
That's all you're going to get for a blurb for me. I found the official description to be somewhat misleading and wish I hadn't read it prior to picking up the book!
Hold Back the Night is a dark page-turner that blurs the line between thriller and horror genres, while also providing a character study for strong female characters. This is crime, hostage and police procedural all mashed together in an action-filled plot. Sean Lynch spent three decades in the police force and his experiences on the force is vividly demonstrated in his writing. There are some cliché/convenient moments but I can easily forget them due to the story Lynch created.
TW: domestic violence, rape, battery, murder, drug & alcohol use, violence committed by a police officer
That's all you're going to get for a blurb for me. I found the official description to be somewhat misleading and wish I hadn't read it prior to picking up the book!
Hold Back the Night is a dark page-turner that blurs the line between thriller and horror genres, while also providing a character study for strong female characters. This is crime, hostage and police procedural all mashed together in an action-filled plot. Sean Lynch spent three decades in the police force and his experiences on the force is vividly demonstrated in his writing. There are some cliché/convenient moments but I can easily forget them due to the story Lynch created.
TW: domestic violence, rape, battery, murder, drug & alcohol use, violence committed by a police officer
May 24, 2021
Received an ARC via NetGalley.
I’m was going to refrain from giving the book a rating at all but I figured I’d just give it a three. I don’t think I can give an objective opinion, it just didn’t resonate with me. It’s not the kind of suspense/thriller that does it for me but I don’t discount that there is an audience out there for it.
I’m was going to refrain from giving the book a rating at all but I figured I’d just give it a three. I don’t think I can give an objective opinion, it just didn’t resonate with me. It’s not the kind of suspense/thriller that does it for me but I don’t discount that there is an audience out there for it.
June 5, 2021
Thank you to author Sean Lynch for this FREE Kindle copy of Hold Back the Night. And thanks to Goodreads for hosting the opportunity.
Nicely done story with intertwining threads. Good pace, visuals and characters (loved Leanne's kick butt style) all pulled together for a very good read. Just a few edit issues. Simple but effective cover. Overall, well done and highly recommended.
Nicely done story with intertwining threads. Good pace, visuals and characters (loved Leanne's kick butt style) all pulled together for a very good read. Just a few edit issues. Simple but effective cover. Overall, well done and highly recommended.
December 27, 2021
Ripped through this but really couldn't care less once it was over. The characterization is so obvious and cliche, to the point you can tell who is going to die within a few sentences of them on the page. I did like main character's new partner. Good read but I was constantly rolling my eyes at the author's POV either from narration, internal thoughts or characterization.
May 2, 2025
A suspenseful mystery that comes full circle.
At the beginning, the story seamed to jump from character to character leaving you to wonder how anything was connected. Yet the more pages you turn and the more you get into the story you're drawn into the lives and situations of everyone. The story ends with the perfect answer to "The Lord's Prayer". I enjoyed this very much.
At the beginning, the story seamed to jump from character to character leaving you to wonder how anything was connected. Yet the more pages you turn and the more you get into the story you're drawn into the lives and situations of everyone. The story ends with the perfect answer to "The Lord's Prayer". I enjoyed this very much.
May 15, 2021
Well written story with an at times intense pace that is sure to please many fans of Police procedural and thriller readers. 4 stars.
My thanks to goodreads and the book’s giveaway sponsors for the opportunity to obtain and read a copy of this book.
My thanks to goodreads and the book’s giveaway sponsors for the opportunity to obtain and read a copy of this book.
August 14, 2021
WOW!!
What a writer! Good storyline kept me intrigued throughout. I could picture the fire scenes described so vividly. Scary bad guys, sad and touching moments. This guy CAN write! Look forward to reading more if his books!!
What a writer! Good storyline kept me intrigued throughout. I could picture the fire scenes described so vividly. Scary bad guys, sad and touching moments. This guy CAN write! Look forward to reading more if his books!!
August 17, 2021
Spellbinding
This story sucks you in from the very first. I read it in one day straight through and literally could not sleep until I finished it. Looking forward to more by this author!
This story sucks you in from the very first. I read it in one day straight through and literally could not sleep until I finished it. Looking forward to more by this author!
October 11, 2021
Wow great book, the story was well though out however it could have been about 100 pages shorter for me. Took so long for me to get into this one and yes I enjoyed it but it should have been edited better. Happy Reading Folks!!!
March 20, 2023
Unfortunately, in the days we are currently living, the words of this book could be on the front page of our newspapers! It's very well written, and I'm looking forward to reading more of Sean Lynch's books.
May 19, 2021
Best book
I’ve read in a long, long time! Get ready for a great read. You will need to hold on tight for the journey!
I’ve read in a long, long time! Get ready for a great read. You will need to hold on tight for the journey!
June 6, 2021
A scary, scary thriller taking place during the California wildfires. Whom can you really trust?? This ebook was recevied from Goodreads.
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