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Exposure
When your worst fear comes true. Someone is watching Kaycee Raye. But who will believe her? Everyone knows she’s a little crazy. Kaycee’s popular syndicated newspaper column pokes fun at her own paranoia and multiple fears. The police in her small town are well aware she makes money writing of her experiences. Worse yet, she has no proof of the threats. Pictures of a dead man mysteriously appear in her home—then vanish before police arrive. Multisensory images flood Kaycee’s mind. Where is all this coming from? Maybe she is going over the edge. High action and psychological suspense collide in this story of terror, twists, and desperate faith. The startling questions surrounding Kaycee pile high. Her descent to answers may prove more than she can survive.
272 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2009
182 people are currently reading
1631 people want to read
About the author
Brandilyn Collins
62 books632 followersBrandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®--fast-paced, character-driven suspense with myriad twists and an interwoven thread of faith.
Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). She is a sought-after teacher and speaker at writers' conferences.
Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). She is a sought-after teacher and speaker at writers' conferences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
October 1, 2018
Exposure, by Brandilyn Collins, is about Kaycee Raye, a girl who struggles with fear. Fear that leaves her debilitated and paranoid.
Exposure explores the tale of Kaycee and how her fears torment her, raid her life, and ultimately cause her to solve a mystery that has been unsolved for twenty-six years.
This novel by Brandilyn Collins was gripping and entertaining to read, but it wasn’t one of my favorites from her. It was good, but not the best one out of all the novels I’ve read by her. Kaycee’s character was really hard to relate to and like, and I think that’s why it kept me from getting completely invested in the story at first.
There are two timelines in this book. One is Kaycee’s, which is the main storyline, and the other is Lorraine and her husband, Martin’s, that is set further back in time. Lorraine’s storyline really hooked me and I felt myself turning pages to get to those parts of this book.
Overall it was a good read and as always I enjoy Brandilyn Collins’ novels.
Exposure explores the tale of Kaycee and how her fears torment her, raid her life, and ultimately cause her to solve a mystery that has been unsolved for twenty-six years.
This novel by Brandilyn Collins was gripping and entertaining to read, but it wasn’t one of my favorites from her. It was good, but not the best one out of all the novels I’ve read by her. Kaycee’s character was really hard to relate to and like, and I think that’s why it kept me from getting completely invested in the story at first.
There are two timelines in this book. One is Kaycee’s, which is the main storyline, and the other is Lorraine and her husband, Martin’s, that is set further back in time. Lorraine’s storyline really hooked me and I felt myself turning pages to get to those parts of this book.
Overall it was a good read and as always I enjoy Brandilyn Collins’ novels.
March 30, 2021
“Exposure. We see you.”
“God is bigger than fear.”
“Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death.”
An entertaining story that had a predictable big twist. Figured it all out pretty early on. But I enjoyed the characters and the setting. Just wish there was a little more mystery to it.
“God is bigger than fear.”
“Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death.”
An entertaining story that had a predictable big twist. Figured it all out pretty early on. But I enjoyed the characters and the setting. Just wish there was a little more mystery to it.
January 13, 2024
I have mixed emotions about this book. I enjoyed it but at the same time I wasn't really motivated to read it and wasn't really connecting with the characters.
May 17, 2017
A little too predictable but stjll really enjoyed it!
June 21, 2010
There are many good reasons Brandilyn Collins is recognized as a master of Christian suspense--and you'll find at least one of them on every page of Exposure.
Exposure sets the tension bar high from the beginning and doesn't let up until about three days after you've finished the book. I made the mistake of selecting it for bedtime reading. Don't do that. I still haven't caught up on lost sleep, and I hit the back cover last week.
Ms. Collins, bless her slightly warped heart, chose a storyline that pricks at a fear I think everyone owns at some level of their subconscious: the fear of being watched. By someone. From somewhere. For some reason.
Our heroine, Kaycee Raye, sports that fear way above the subconscious level. It pervades every waking moment of her life. Kaycee confronts her paranoia by writing a syndicated column entitled "Who's There?" (Okay, admit it. That title is freaky enough by itself.) In her column, Kaycee helps her readers deal with their phobias by laying bare her own. But someone else is reading her column. Nearby. For a definite reason.
The shadow reader exploits Kaycee's neurosis for a nefarious purpose that Ms. Collins springs on us through a gargantuan twist late in the story. That's the point at which you don't put the book aside until you've finished it--despite your wife's post-midnight beseeching to please turn off the bedside lamp and go to sleep. That's also the point from which Ms. Collins may well become the defendant in a class action suit for inflicting chronic insomnia on an unsuspecting readership.
So, it's Jeannie's turn to read Exposure. I put it on her stack of to-reads that sits on her bedside night table . . . then I took it off the stack. It's now banished to the reading nook in our living room. It was either that or stock up on Tylenol PM.
You really need to read Exposure. I'll know if you don't. Because I know who reads these reviews. And I'll be watching. From somewhere.
Exposure sets the tension bar high from the beginning and doesn't let up until about three days after you've finished the book. I made the mistake of selecting it for bedtime reading. Don't do that. I still haven't caught up on lost sleep, and I hit the back cover last week.
Ms. Collins, bless her slightly warped heart, chose a storyline that pricks at a fear I think everyone owns at some level of their subconscious: the fear of being watched. By someone. From somewhere. For some reason.
Our heroine, Kaycee Raye, sports that fear way above the subconscious level. It pervades every waking moment of her life. Kaycee confronts her paranoia by writing a syndicated column entitled "Who's There?" (Okay, admit it. That title is freaky enough by itself.) In her column, Kaycee helps her readers deal with their phobias by laying bare her own. But someone else is reading her column. Nearby. For a definite reason.
The shadow reader exploits Kaycee's neurosis for a nefarious purpose that Ms. Collins springs on us through a gargantuan twist late in the story. That's the point at which you don't put the book aside until you've finished it--despite your wife's post-midnight beseeching to please turn off the bedside lamp and go to sleep. That's also the point from which Ms. Collins may well become the defendant in a class action suit for inflicting chronic insomnia on an unsuspecting readership.
So, it's Jeannie's turn to read Exposure. I put it on her stack of to-reads that sits on her bedside night table . . . then I took it off the stack. It's now banished to the reading nook in our living room. It was either that or stock up on Tylenol PM.
You really need to read Exposure. I'll know if you don't. Because I know who reads these reviews. And I'll be watching. From somewhere.
March 20, 2018
Kaycee has followed in her mother's footsteps and has a fear that someone is always watching her. When she arrives home one day she is greeted by a camera flash. There is a camera on her dining room table and Kaycee has no idea how it got there. When Kaycee looks at it there is a picture of a dead man. Kaycee races to the police. When they arrive to check her house there is no camera and no evidence that anyone has gotten into her house. That evening Kaycee's friend's daughter disappears. Nobody knows where she could be. Between Hannah's disappearance and the constant feeling of being watched Kaycee begins to feel she is losing touch with reality. Will the police believe that Kaycee is being watched or will they chalk it up to her paranoia and fear?
This was such a great mystery/suspense! I loved the psychological thriller aspect of the whole story. The wrap-up was totally a surprise to me and totally genius! Brandilyn Collins definitely knows how to draw the reader into the characters nightmares and makes you feel their fears and frustrations. I'm definitely a fan of this authors and must read more of her books!
This was such a great mystery/suspense! I loved the psychological thriller aspect of the whole story. The wrap-up was totally a surprise to me and totally genius! Brandilyn Collins definitely knows how to draw the reader into the characters nightmares and makes you feel their fears and frustrations. I'm definitely a fan of this authors and must read more of her books!
March 16, 2010
I won't go into a synopsis of the story because many reviewers before me have already done a fine job with that. I just wanted to say that I loved this story! Mrs. Collins has an excellent way of keeping the pace up and pulling the reader right along from one tense scene to the next. Up to a certain point you are left wondering if the main character Kaycee is really being stalked, or if she is simply crazy. But there is one line at the end of a chapter that erases all doubt as to the answer and I was so startled that I almost jumped when I read it. Even once I figured out the twist the book was still enjoyable because by then I had to see how it would end. I'm looking forward to more from Brandilyn Collins!
February 12, 2013
It was hard for me to get into this book, but another reviewer said to stick it out, so I did. About 2/3 of the way through the book, it picks up speed with an unsuspecting twist at the end. The slogging through is necessary because it all unfolds in almost the blink of an eye. This is the first I've read from Brandilyn Collins and, while I wasn't enamored with the book, it certainly won't keep me from reading another by her. Do I feel like I wasted my time with the book? No, not really. It's a fairly quick read and I had a twinge of disappointment with the ending, though. Would I recommend it? If you want quick and easy with a bit of mystery and are willing to stay focused, yes. If you're looking for twists and turns with suspense around every corner, probably not.
February 25, 2012
This is a try-hard to be suspenseful novel. Many of the events are repetitive. I finished it to find out if the main character was overly obsessive or if there was something to really be afraid of. Not my favorite book.
January 25, 2015
A surprising free ebook. The characters could have been enlarged upon and the story brought out in a more fluid path, but what a surprise ending. I did not guess and was genuinely surprised. I may read others by this author.
July 24, 2015
Awesome
I chose this rating because she is a great author. Her books get better and better keeping you on the edge of your seats. I can't put them down. I enjoy every book she writes and look forward to the next Gayle
I chose this rating because she is a great author. Her books get better and better keeping you on the edge of your seats. I can't put them down. I enjoy every book she writes and look forward to the next Gayle
September 4, 2024
Exposure was a gripping psychological thriller which held my attention from beginning to end.
However, I did manage to see where the story was going and guessed the big reveal early on, though the final chapter was clever and unexpected.
*I listened to the audiobook on Everand.*
However, I did manage to see where the story was going and guessed the big reveal early on, though the final chapter was clever and unexpected.
*I listened to the audiobook on Everand.*
January 7, 2010
Never have skimmed so much in a book. Kaycee's paranoia got annoying...but I really appreciated the ending plot twist. That was clever!
June 25, 2010
The first part of the book I got a little tired of the drama of the main character...she's paranoid. The rest of the book let you understand why and in the end I decided it was a pretty good read.
May 24, 2013
Great book with a solid twist I did not see at all! I was wondering how the two storylines would meet and it blew me away. Maybe I'm just really tired, but it hit me when it happened and I loved it!
April 6, 2018
In 'Exposure', newspaper columnist Kaycee Raye writes about fear but she gets more than she bargained for when strange things start happening. Gruesome photos of a dead man appear and disappear at her home. With no proof and plagued by paranoia, Kaycee desperately needs the police to step in before it's too late..
The premise interested me greatly. However, the writing was surprisingly mediocre (compared to the gripping and brilliant 'Over the Edge' penned by the same author). There was too much showing and not enough telling as well as repetition. Kaycee's fear that "they" were watching her and the details of the photo were pretty much in every chapter. Consequently, within the first few chapters I was already fed up of her and frankly couldn't care less whether she'd be alive by the end of the story.
The unexplained occurrences at her home such as the photo's magical ability to show up and subsequently vanish felt contrived. It didn't help that the explanation behind that was far-fetched. In addition, Kaycee mentioned that the police didn't take her seriously but they actually did after perhaps a few seconds of doubt and hesitation. It would have been more realistic for them to consider her a suspect in a certain event that transpired or dismiss her as a lunatic.
I found Kaycee to be exasperating hence the other storyline involving a bank robbery was a breath of fresh air. The robbers were easily the best characters as they were convincing in their roles. The only good thing about this book was the twist that was revealed somewhere in the last few chapters. It made sense to a certain extent though there was really no need to as that came across as lazy writing.
Overall, 'Exposure' didn't live up to its suspenseful-sounding synopsis due to the barely even one-dimensional characters, repetitive content and lack of logic. Despite having fear as a major theme, this book was devoid of any sense of danger.
The premise interested me greatly. However, the writing was surprisingly mediocre (compared to the gripping and brilliant 'Over the Edge' penned by the same author). There was too much showing and not enough telling as well as repetition. Kaycee's fear that "they" were watching her and the details of the photo were pretty much in every chapter. Consequently, within the first few chapters I was already fed up of her and frankly couldn't care less whether she'd be alive by the end of the story.
The unexplained occurrences at her home such as the photo's magical ability to show up and subsequently vanish felt contrived. It didn't help that the explanation behind that was far-fetched. In addition, Kaycee mentioned that the police didn't take her seriously but they actually did after perhaps a few seconds of doubt and hesitation. It would have been more realistic for them to consider her a suspect in a certain event that transpired or dismiss her as a lunatic.
I found Kaycee to be exasperating hence the other storyline involving a bank robbery was a breath of fresh air. The robbers were easily the best characters as they were convincing in their roles. The only good thing about this book was the twist that was revealed somewhere in the last few chapters. It made sense to a certain extent though there was really no need to as that came across as lazy writing.
Overall, 'Exposure' didn't live up to its suspenseful-sounding synopsis due to the barely even one-dimensional characters, repetitive content and lack of logic. Despite having fear as a major theme, this book was devoid of any sense of danger.
November 27, 2019
First Reaction: While the novel's premise and sub-plot were intriguing, the main plot suffers from a lackluster protagonist.
More Thoughts:
It was a good, quick read that definitely kept me interested. I enjoyed the mystery and was quite proud to have solved a few parts myself.
The sub-plot surrounding the Giordano family definitely stole the show. I was gripped by both the action and the emotion of these sections. Waiting to see how this connected to the larger story was a highlight of this read. (Still proud to have figured out the connection...). Lorraine Giordano was probably my favorite character from the novel.
The protagonist, Kaycee Raye, was lacking for me. She was missing that spark that would have made this story a 4- or 5-star book for me. There really wasn't much about her that interested me or left an impression. In many ways, I felt has though the plot was driving her rather than the other way around. (And don't get me started on the romance that felt shoehorned in). Kaycee just seems to bounce from one event to the next in a way that feels just a bit too disjointed. I would have loved to see Kaycee take a bit more initiative as a protagonist so that we could see her truly act and impact the plot.
The premise was good. Kaycee is being stalked. Her unknown watcher is taunting her with the photo of a crime scene, and the stress almost convinces her she's going crazy. Someone close to her goes missing. All the while, the story jumps from Kaycee's story to that of the Giordano family and the bank robbery that changes their lives forever.
All this was a great set up. However, I feel that the disappearance of Kaycee's friend was a bit of dead weight on the story. It was a bit too convenient, and it distracted from the main plot of Kaycee's stalker. Had the story focused more on the stalker plot and Kaycee's reaction/action in response, the story may have been stronger and more streamlined.
More Thoughts:
It was a good, quick read that definitely kept me interested. I enjoyed the mystery and was quite proud to have solved a few parts myself.
The sub-plot surrounding the Giordano family definitely stole the show. I was gripped by both the action and the emotion of these sections. Waiting to see how this connected to the larger story was a highlight of this read. (Still proud to have figured out the connection...). Lorraine Giordano was probably my favorite character from the novel.
The protagonist, Kaycee Raye, was lacking for me. She was missing that spark that would have made this story a 4- or 5-star book for me. There really wasn't much about her that interested me or left an impression. In many ways, I felt has though the plot was driving her rather than the other way around. (And don't get me started on the romance that felt shoehorned in). Kaycee just seems to bounce from one event to the next in a way that feels just a bit too disjointed. I would have loved to see Kaycee take a bit more initiative as a protagonist so that we could see her truly act and impact the plot.
The premise was good. Kaycee is being stalked. Her unknown watcher is taunting her with the photo of a crime scene, and the stress almost convinces her she's going crazy. Someone close to her goes missing. All the while, the story jumps from Kaycee's story to that of the Giordano family and the bank robbery that changes their lives forever.
All this was a great set up. However, I feel that the disappearance of Kaycee's friend was a bit of dead weight on the story. It was a bit too convenient, and it distracted from the main plot of Kaycee's stalker. Had the story focused more on the stalker plot and Kaycee's reaction/action in response, the story may have been stronger and more streamlined.
June 30, 2022
this book reminded me why i dont read these kinds of token thrillers anymore 😀 they are all incredibly formulaic and start to sound the same after not too long, the writing is cliche (i.e. the author loves to end each chapter on a supposed cliffhanger but then that cliffhanger is never actually revisited and doesnt serve as an actual plot point but rather was just used to shock you into continuing to read), and the characters are so and i mean SO one dimensional. if you are reading a book by this author expecting the slightest sliver of character development youll be severely disappointed :,) the plot, which is about the only thing this book has going for it, was decent but theres simply no buildup, the reader is just thrown into the main part of the mystery from the first chapter. so in conclusion, i dont think i’ll be returning to these christian thrillers again anytime soon🫡
August 6, 2017
Filled with tension throughout, this Christian mystery thriller will keep you guessing and has a very clever twist. I think I figured it out a bit before the author intended me too, but it did not hinder my enjoyment of the plot. The mafia, a bank robbery, a murder, a missing child, and paranoia are all present. The fact that we all have fears to deal with in our lives is one idea the author deals with, and that we might be surprised sometimes at the origins of those fears. This is my first book by this author, but it won't be my last!
March 20, 2020
Ok
The story did not flow, the characters were flat and about halfway through I figured out what was going on and it was so easy to figure out that I struggled with trying to decide if I'd read the book before.
The story did not flow, the characters were flat and about halfway through I figured out what was going on and it was so easy to figure out that I struggled with trying to decide if I'd read the book before.
August 11, 2022
So good!
This book was great! At first I thought the character was ridiculous and wanted to punch her several times, but the plot twisted and now I can only sit and piece together everything I read in the first few chapters. What a story!
This book was great! At first I thought the character was ridiculous and wanted to punch her several times, but the plot twisted and now I can only sit and piece together everything I read in the first few chapters. What a story!
August 10, 2024
groundbreaking? the most complex and thought provoking novel ever? no. it DID however have some good concepts and a twist that I probably could've guessed, but was much too invested in the story to put it down and really think about it. I had so much fun with this novel, and at the end of the day that's five stars for me. thanks grandma for telling me I had to read this lol
April 11, 2025
Overall enjoyed the book. Had a little trouble at the start with connecting with Kaycee. Her paranoia was tad repetitive. Mid point it became action packed and moved fast. I did manage to figure it before the end but enjoyed the way the story pulled together.
May 7, 2017
Wow ! Such great suspense !!! You have to read this.
I got a complete shock at the connection between the two running stories.
I got a complete shock at the connection between the two running stories.
May 29, 2017
I did not see that ending coming. I liked this book other than the reader sounded so whiny sometimes and that was annoying. But otherwise the story and plot were awesome!!
December 23, 2017
Its starts out like two separate stories and ends up one complete story. Very exciting, had a hard time putting this down. The main subject of the book is fear and what it can do to a person.
February 17, 2018
the second book by this author I did not like - yet the first of her books was good; not sure if I'll try another; like more realistic plots
May 29, 2018
I enjoyed the suspense and twist of this novel. Read another novel by this author & she seems to follow the same exact formula when she writes. Once was good, twice was ok...
April 28, 2019
Wow. Could not read this at night without bringing all my own fears to mind. Loved this book and the twist caught me totally off guard.
August 21, 2019
Fast moving and good story. Not predictable at all. Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews