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A Knock on the Door
Lori Crawford's world is turned upside down when her husband dies in a car accident. After twenty-five years of marriage, she thought she would forever live an uncomplicated, happy life with Jack. But just as Lori feels she’s coming out on the other side of her grief, Jack’s assistant at SpringWare, Rita Johnson, discovers information that convinces her that Jack was murdered.
The two women vow to bring the perpetrator to justice. But time is running out, and their names are on someone’s kill list. The truth takes them down a path they never could have suspected. They set out to bring down one of the most powerful men in the country: the director of the National Security Agency. But who will believe them? And how many more will die before they do? Now, they have to decide if they have the courage—and the ability—to finish what they started.
The two women vow to bring the perpetrator to justice. But time is running out, and their names are on someone’s kill list. The truth takes them down a path they never could have suspected. They set out to bring down one of the most powerful men in the country: the director of the National Security Agency. But who will believe them? And how many more will die before they do? Now, they have to decide if they have the courage—and the ability—to finish what they started.
392 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2022
6 people are currently reading
3809 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 16, 2023
Lori is a happy woman. She is married to a wonderful man who works at a video game company. They have been together for 25 years and she looks forward to the rest of the years to come and all the great times they will spend together.
Βut Lori's dream will come to an end when her husband gets killed in a car accident. Lori, in a state of shock tries to manage her life without her husband, alone without hope. Until, one day, her husband's former assistant Rita knocks on her door and tells her that her husband's death is not an accident but a murder.
So, suddenly Lori has a reason to keep going, and that reason is to find the person responsible for her husband's death. But did she think correctly? Is the path she chose to follow dangerous?
This is a story of greed, sabotage, powerful men who will do anything to stay powerful and two strong women who will risk their lives to uncover them.
A fast-paced story full of suspense, secrets and twists. Are you ready to read one of the best thrillers ever written?
Thank you Roberta K. Fernandez, Amplify Publishing and NetGalley for this digital copy.
I can’t wait to read more books by Fernandez! She is officially one of my favorite mystery/thriller authors!
Βut Lori's dream will come to an end when her husband gets killed in a car accident. Lori, in a state of shock tries to manage her life without her husband, alone without hope. Until, one day, her husband's former assistant Rita knocks on her door and tells her that her husband's death is not an accident but a murder.
So, suddenly Lori has a reason to keep going, and that reason is to find the person responsible for her husband's death. But did she think correctly? Is the path she chose to follow dangerous?
This is a story of greed, sabotage, powerful men who will do anything to stay powerful and two strong women who will risk their lives to uncover them.
A fast-paced story full of suspense, secrets and twists. Are you ready to read one of the best thrillers ever written?
Thank you Roberta K. Fernandez, Amplify Publishing and NetGalley for this digital copy.
I can’t wait to read more books by Fernandez! She is officially one of my favorite mystery/thriller authors!
November 20, 2022
A Knock on the Door opens with a brief prologue where Roberta K. Fernandez gives us the final thoughts of a man named Jack Crawford in the last moments of his life. While driving on a freeway, after he hears what he believes is a gunshot, Crawford loses control of his car. It spins out of control across three lanes of traffic before crashing through a guardrail and plunging into a river below. That makes us eager to know more about Jack and about what led to his death.
Fernandez then opens the first chapter, introducing us to Jack’s former assistant Rita Johnson, one of the lead protagonists. She had worked with Jack for eighteen years before moving to her present position in the same software company, SpringWare, working for Mark Mason, the vice president. Mason has tasked Rita with going through Jack’s computer to retrieve what they needed to finish an important project Jack had been working on before his death. Jack Crawford had been almost like a son to Rita, who is a woman in her sixties now, and she still hasn’t come to grips with his sudden death. She anguishes over not trying harder to stay connected with him and his wife, Lori. As she reviews the folders on Jack’s computer, she discovers something odd, an encrypted folder he had named using a code word the two of them had once used for highly sensitive projects. Curious, Rita copies the files to a CD. Later, once she investigates further, Rita discovers something horrific. She feels certain Jack’s car crash was no accident. Someone murdered him and Rita comes to believe they did it because of the project Jack had worked on. Then we’re off and running into the action.
Rita keeps digging into the files she copied from Jack’s computer and learns more of the shocking truth. While SpringWare is a gaming company, she discovers that her current boss, Mason, has agreed with the NSA (the National Security Agency) to deliver a surveillance program that could collect private data on everyone using the Internet. Mason had only allowed those who worked on the software limited access to the whole to keep the purpose of the program secret. But what she found convinced Rita Jack Crawford somehow figured out the intended purpose of the software and who the client was. Growing more certain that led to his death, after some soul searching, she contacts Crawford’s widow, Lori, and tells her Jack’s death was no accident. Someone killed him to prevent him from exposing the secretive piece of software destined for the NSA.
The deeper we get into the story, the more A Knock on the Door reminds us thematically of the 1998 American political action thriller film, Enemy of the State, starring Will Smith and Gene Hackman. Like the movie, which also attacked “the surveillance society,” the plot explores what happens when powerful bureaucrats and demagogues use the power of the government to gain their own ends and cover their own tracks. And after Rita convinces Lori that someone murdered her husband over a secret surveillance program, together they continue probing, hoping to bring those responsible for Jack’s murder to justice. When two other SpringWare employees connected to the program’s development die suddenly and under suspicious circumstances, Rita and Lori realize just what they are facing and that they may very well become the next victims. They take Jacob Browning, a programmer at SpringWare, into their confidences when they feel certain his life is at risk. Jacob is the “last man standing” among those who worked on parts of the program, unaware of the software’s intended use. And Jacob’s computer skills come in handy as the trio continues uncovering evidence that not only implicates their very demanding, and not particularly pleasant boss Mark Mason in the murders, but also Carl Baxter, the ruthless head of the NSA.
Since Fernandez reveals whodunit early on, the book is far more a thriller than a mystery tale. But by deftly throwing in several surprises along the way, she deftly raises the stakes and ratchets up the tension and heart-pounding suspense all the way through to the splendid climax.
It’s no secret I’m a stickler for authenticity with crime fiction, and must say the premise here is more than a little far-fetched in spots. As an example, in the scenario of two ordinary women trying to bring down the head of one of the nation’s most powerful and clandestine intelligence agencies, it requires little imagination to predict who would be the bug and who the windshield. Also, the story lacks a character like Brill (Gene Hackman’s character) in Enemy of the State, a former spy who understands the inner workings of the intelligence community, to help Rita and Lori. So, we can’t escape the feeling our ruthless, powerful antagonist, Carl Baxter, should easily prevail against the cast of unremarkable civilian good guys in over their heads. But by and large, the story works. In this post-Edward Snowden era, the plot feels perilously close to plausible. When many of us have watched the heads of American intelligence agencies boldly lying before Congress on television, and read about the recent politically motivated FISA court abuses by the FBI, you needn’t be paranoid to feel distrustful of many of our most powerful federal agencies. It’s not the government that is the enemy, but the unelected bureaucrats and demagogues who use the power of the government to pursue their own agendas with no conscience and seemingly no real oversight from our elected officials. This makes A Knock on the Door feel uncomfortably real.
With only a little suspension of belief required, the most demanding fast-paced thriller fans will find this a very gripping and entertaining book. Roberta K. Fernandez displays excellent story-telling ability and offers us a cast of likeable and relatable lead characters blindsided by the misused power of the state, along with a believable antagonist convinced that his job somehow places him above the law that we love to hate. From the perspective of pure escapism, I found it both an entertaining and riveting read with much to like. I could imagine easily a filmmaker adapting it for film.
Fernandez then opens the first chapter, introducing us to Jack’s former assistant Rita Johnson, one of the lead protagonists. She had worked with Jack for eighteen years before moving to her present position in the same software company, SpringWare, working for Mark Mason, the vice president. Mason has tasked Rita with going through Jack’s computer to retrieve what they needed to finish an important project Jack had been working on before his death. Jack Crawford had been almost like a son to Rita, who is a woman in her sixties now, and she still hasn’t come to grips with his sudden death. She anguishes over not trying harder to stay connected with him and his wife, Lori. As she reviews the folders on Jack’s computer, she discovers something odd, an encrypted folder he had named using a code word the two of them had once used for highly sensitive projects. Curious, Rita copies the files to a CD. Later, once she investigates further, Rita discovers something horrific. She feels certain Jack’s car crash was no accident. Someone murdered him and Rita comes to believe they did it because of the project Jack had worked on. Then we’re off and running into the action.
Rita keeps digging into the files she copied from Jack’s computer and learns more of the shocking truth. While SpringWare is a gaming company, she discovers that her current boss, Mason, has agreed with the NSA (the National Security Agency) to deliver a surveillance program that could collect private data on everyone using the Internet. Mason had only allowed those who worked on the software limited access to the whole to keep the purpose of the program secret. But what she found convinced Rita Jack Crawford somehow figured out the intended purpose of the software and who the client was. Growing more certain that led to his death, after some soul searching, she contacts Crawford’s widow, Lori, and tells her Jack’s death was no accident. Someone killed him to prevent him from exposing the secretive piece of software destined for the NSA.
The deeper we get into the story, the more A Knock on the Door reminds us thematically of the 1998 American political action thriller film, Enemy of the State, starring Will Smith and Gene Hackman. Like the movie, which also attacked “the surveillance society,” the plot explores what happens when powerful bureaucrats and demagogues use the power of the government to gain their own ends and cover their own tracks. And after Rita convinces Lori that someone murdered her husband over a secret surveillance program, together they continue probing, hoping to bring those responsible for Jack’s murder to justice. When two other SpringWare employees connected to the program’s development die suddenly and under suspicious circumstances, Rita and Lori realize just what they are facing and that they may very well become the next victims. They take Jacob Browning, a programmer at SpringWare, into their confidences when they feel certain his life is at risk. Jacob is the “last man standing” among those who worked on parts of the program, unaware of the software’s intended use. And Jacob’s computer skills come in handy as the trio continues uncovering evidence that not only implicates their very demanding, and not particularly pleasant boss Mark Mason in the murders, but also Carl Baxter, the ruthless head of the NSA.
Since Fernandez reveals whodunit early on, the book is far more a thriller than a mystery tale. But by deftly throwing in several surprises along the way, she deftly raises the stakes and ratchets up the tension and heart-pounding suspense all the way through to the splendid climax.
It’s no secret I’m a stickler for authenticity with crime fiction, and must say the premise here is more than a little far-fetched in spots. As an example, in the scenario of two ordinary women trying to bring down the head of one of the nation’s most powerful and clandestine intelligence agencies, it requires little imagination to predict who would be the bug and who the windshield. Also, the story lacks a character like Brill (Gene Hackman’s character) in Enemy of the State, a former spy who understands the inner workings of the intelligence community, to help Rita and Lori. So, we can’t escape the feeling our ruthless, powerful antagonist, Carl Baxter, should easily prevail against the cast of unremarkable civilian good guys in over their heads. But by and large, the story works. In this post-Edward Snowden era, the plot feels perilously close to plausible. When many of us have watched the heads of American intelligence agencies boldly lying before Congress on television, and read about the recent politically motivated FISA court abuses by the FBI, you needn’t be paranoid to feel distrustful of many of our most powerful federal agencies. It’s not the government that is the enemy, but the unelected bureaucrats and demagogues who use the power of the government to pursue their own agendas with no conscience and seemingly no real oversight from our elected officials. This makes A Knock on the Door feel uncomfortably real.
With only a little suspension of belief required, the most demanding fast-paced thriller fans will find this a very gripping and entertaining book. Roberta K. Fernandez displays excellent story-telling ability and offers us a cast of likeable and relatable lead characters blindsided by the misused power of the state, along with a believable antagonist convinced that his job somehow places him above the law that we love to hate. From the perspective of pure escapism, I found it both an entertaining and riveting read with much to like. I could imagine easily a filmmaker adapting it for film.
December 8, 2022
I’ve heard only good things about A Knock on the Door and jumped at the chance to be a part of this tour. This is my first book by this author and will not be my last. In A Knock at the Door, Lori Crawford’s world has been turned upside down when her husband of 25 years is killed in a car accident. Just as she emerges from the fog of her grief, Jack’s assistant, Rita Johnson shows up with evidence that Jack was murdered. Together they embark on bring the perpetrator to justice. The only problem, he is the director of the National Security Agency and one of the most powerful men in the country. Wondering whether anyone will believe them, they find the courage to finish what they started before it’s too late.
This book has it all – action, intrigue, red herrings, and suspense. The book is well written with a brilliant cast of characters that add depth to the story. I was engaged from start to finish and literally could not put this one down. I stayed up WAY too late reading and do not regret one moment of it or how sleepy I was the following day. The setting is vividly described which had me feeling like I was walking beside Lori and Rita as they put the puzzle pieces together.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to all thriller lovers. The writing is substantive, and I appreciate that the characters are middle aged, being middle aged myself, I identified with the characters and felt a bit nostalgic at times. I loved all the twists and turns as the truth slowly revealed itself to the reader. The final twist left me breathless!
This book has it all – action, intrigue, red herrings, and suspense. The book is well written with a brilliant cast of characters that add depth to the story. I was engaged from start to finish and literally could not put this one down. I stayed up WAY too late reading and do not regret one moment of it or how sleepy I was the following day. The setting is vividly described which had me feeling like I was walking beside Lori and Rita as they put the puzzle pieces together.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to all thriller lovers. The writing is substantive, and I appreciate that the characters are middle aged, being middle aged myself, I identified with the characters and felt a bit nostalgic at times. I loved all the twists and turns as the truth slowly revealed itself to the reader. The final twist left me breathless!
October 5, 2022
Holy relatable characters!!!!!! This book was an addictive read, I finished it one sitting. I just couldn't put it down once I started it. The plot was amazing, the characters were perfection. Cannot wait to read more from the author.
November 4, 2022
4
I received an ARC from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving my honest review.
Did I stay up all night trying to finish this book.... maybe.....
This book sent me for a loop a few times, just when you think you might know what is going on, you are sent on a scavenger hunt in the other direction to only be brought back to the other side!
This book reminded me a lot of the show how to get away with murder.
I would highly recommend that anyone who is interested in thriller-mystery books to read this one! The suspense and build is absolutely out of this world!
Thank you NetGalley as well as the author for allowing me to read this gem!
I received an ARC from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving my honest review.
Did I stay up all night trying to finish this book.... maybe.....
This book sent me for a loop a few times, just when you think you might know what is going on, you are sent on a scavenger hunt in the other direction to only be brought back to the other side!
This book reminded me a lot of the show how to get away with murder.
I would highly recommend that anyone who is interested in thriller-mystery books to read this one! The suspense and build is absolutely out of this world!
Thank you NetGalley as well as the author for allowing me to read this gem!
April 12, 2023
This is my first by the author and I really liked it looking forward to more by this author. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Suspense, intrigue, action, and a great cast of characters.
The storyline was interesting and held my interest.
I look forward to reading more works by Fernandez in the future.
Thanks again
4/5 stars
Suspense, intrigue, action, and a great cast of characters.
The storyline was interesting and held my interest.
I look forward to reading more works by Fernandez in the future.
Thanks again
4/5 stars
February 9, 2024
"A Knock on the Door" by Roberta K. Fernandez left me breathless and utterly captivated from start to finish. From the moment I cracked open the book, I was swept up in a whirlwind of suspense, intrigue, and non-stop action.
At the heart of the story are two seemingly ordinary women, Lori Crawford and Rita Johnson, whose lives are irrevocably changed when Lori's husband dies in a tragic car accident. But what initially appears to be a straightforward accident soon unravels into something far more sinister when Rita uncovers evidence suggesting foul play.
What I loved most about this book was its relentless pace and engaging storyline. Fernandez deftly weaves together a complex web of deception, betrayal, and danger, keeping me on the edge of my seat with every twist and turn. As Lori and Rita delve deeper into the truth behind Jack's death, they find themselves thrust into a dangerous game of cat and mouse, where the stakes couldn't be higher.
Despite their initial shock and disbelief, Lori and Rita prove to be resilient and determined protagonists, willing to risk everything in their quest for justice. Their bravery and tenacity shine through as they navigate the treacherous waters of deception and corruption, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds.
As the body count rises and the danger escalates, the tension reaches a fever pitch, culminating in a heart-pounding climax that left me gasping for breath. Fernandez expertly ratchets up the suspense, keeping me guessing until the very end.
In addition to its thrilling plot, "A Knock on the Door" also offers a thought-provoking exploration of power, corruption, and the lengths some will go to protect their secrets. It's a gripping and timely read that will leave you questioning the true nature of justice and the price of speaking truth to power.
Overall, "A Knock on the Door" is a masterfully crafted thriller that will keep you glued to the pages long into the night. With its compelling characters, pulse-pounding action, and jaw-dropping twists, it's a must-read for fans of the genre. Roberta K. Fernandez has delivered a knockout debut, and I eagerly await her next literary offering.
At the heart of the story are two seemingly ordinary women, Lori Crawford and Rita Johnson, whose lives are irrevocably changed when Lori's husband dies in a tragic car accident. But what initially appears to be a straightforward accident soon unravels into something far more sinister when Rita uncovers evidence suggesting foul play.
What I loved most about this book was its relentless pace and engaging storyline. Fernandez deftly weaves together a complex web of deception, betrayal, and danger, keeping me on the edge of my seat with every twist and turn. As Lori and Rita delve deeper into the truth behind Jack's death, they find themselves thrust into a dangerous game of cat and mouse, where the stakes couldn't be higher.
Despite their initial shock and disbelief, Lori and Rita prove to be resilient and determined protagonists, willing to risk everything in their quest for justice. Their bravery and tenacity shine through as they navigate the treacherous waters of deception and corruption, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds.
As the body count rises and the danger escalates, the tension reaches a fever pitch, culminating in a heart-pounding climax that left me gasping for breath. Fernandez expertly ratchets up the suspense, keeping me guessing until the very end.
In addition to its thrilling plot, "A Knock on the Door" also offers a thought-provoking exploration of power, corruption, and the lengths some will go to protect their secrets. It's a gripping and timely read that will leave you questioning the true nature of justice and the price of speaking truth to power.
Overall, "A Knock on the Door" is a masterfully crafted thriller that will keep you glued to the pages long into the night. With its compelling characters, pulse-pounding action, and jaw-dropping twists, it's a must-read for fans of the genre. Roberta K. Fernandez has delivered a knockout debut, and I eagerly await her next literary offering.
October 2, 2022
It is difficult enough for Lori Crawford to think of the coming holiday season without her dearly loved husband, Jack. They had 25 years of wedded bliss before a car accident stole their future together. Then Rita Johnson, Jack's former assistant at SpringWare, shared information with Lori that Jack's death was murder. Together they are determined to get justice. How does a company that creates video games become involved with the National Security Agency? What will be stronger? Truth and justice or power and money?
I answered the knock on the door and was riveted from start to finish by the author's novel. What a captivating debut! The questions mounted more than the answers, and evidence was scant. As the suspense mounted, I couldn't predict whether truth would prevail over greed, which made it all the more compelling.
Book clubs will appreciate the questions available at the novel's end. Don't miss the special surprise message for book clubs at the end of the questions.
I highly recommend adding this book to your tbr list. I'm excited that the author's website indicates a sequel is in progress. I'll answer the next knock too!
My sincere thanks to Roberta K. Fernandez and Subplot Publishing for my complimentary digital copy of this title, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.
#AKnockontheDoor #NetGalley
I answered the knock on the door and was riveted from start to finish by the author's novel. What a captivating debut! The questions mounted more than the answers, and evidence was scant. As the suspense mounted, I couldn't predict whether truth would prevail over greed, which made it all the more compelling.
Book clubs will appreciate the questions available at the novel's end. Don't miss the special surprise message for book clubs at the end of the questions.
I highly recommend adding this book to your tbr list. I'm excited that the author's website indicates a sequel is in progress. I'll answer the next knock too!
My sincere thanks to Roberta K. Fernandez and Subplot Publishing for my complimentary digital copy of this title, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.
#AKnockontheDoor #NetGalley
November 20, 2022
A Knock on the Door is my first introduction to the talents of author Roberta K Fernandez. After reading this one, it will not be the last. Lori Crawford’s world gets shattered when her husband of twenty five years is taken from her in a horrific accident. As she begins to heal from losing Jack, his accidental death comes into question and evidence points that he was possibly murdered. Lori teams up with Jack’s assistant, Rita to find out the circumstances of his death, what really happened and who could have wanted him dead. The two gets sucked into a lot of danger, adventure, and action. There were a lot of twists and turns that made my head spin. I had to keep reading to see what they would find out, how it would all end for them and if they would make it out alive. It was great!
I am giving A Knock on the Door four and a half stars. Readers who enjoy reading mysteries with plot twists will want to pick this one up and give it a read. I believe it is definitely worth reading. I would love to read more like this one by Roberta K Fernandez in the future to see where else her imagination will take her readers to next.
I received a digital copy of A Knock on the Door from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
I am giving A Knock on the Door four and a half stars. Readers who enjoy reading mysteries with plot twists will want to pick this one up and give it a read. I believe it is definitely worth reading. I would love to read more like this one by Roberta K Fernandez in the future to see where else her imagination will take her readers to next.
I received a digital copy of A Knock on the Door from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
December 2, 2022
Initial reaction? “What in the h-e- double hockey sticks does ‘a knock on the door’ have to do with anything!?”
Sadly, I learned real quick and it is definitely a theme in the storyline and one that I know – and wish I didn’t.
My second thought was how the prologue was going to tie into everything.
I admit, I liked that it didn’t give it away immediately. It left me guessing for a short time until the pieces were fit together.
On top of the sadness – and it came up more than once – there was a smidge of romance (which I really hope to see more of), thrill, suspense, fright, anxiety… a whole pile of emotions!
A Knock on the Door definitely goes among one of the top thrillers I have read this year. It has been awhile since I read a really good suspenseful thriller and this one definitely falls into that category.
I am beyond thrilled to see that a second book is in the works because I am definitely going to be reading it! I loved the characters; I loved piecing together the pieces of the mystery; I loved the suspense; I even loved the anxiety and fear that crept through me as if I was one of the characters taking part in the story!
A Knock on the Door is definitely a recommended book for those who enjoy a good a thrill read!
Sadly, I learned real quick and it is definitely a theme in the storyline and one that I know – and wish I didn’t.
My second thought was how the prologue was going to tie into everything.
I admit, I liked that it didn’t give it away immediately. It left me guessing for a short time until the pieces were fit together.
On top of the sadness – and it came up more than once – there was a smidge of romance (which I really hope to see more of), thrill, suspense, fright, anxiety… a whole pile of emotions!
A Knock on the Door definitely goes among one of the top thrillers I have read this year. It has been awhile since I read a really good suspenseful thriller and this one definitely falls into that category.
I am beyond thrilled to see that a second book is in the works because I am definitely going to be reading it! I loved the characters; I loved piecing together the pieces of the mystery; I loved the suspense; I even loved the anxiety and fear that crept through me as if I was one of the characters taking part in the story!
A Knock on the Door is definitely a recommended book for those who enjoy a good a thrill read!
October 30, 2025
Lori thought she was finally working through her grief from her husband’s death when Rita, Jack’s assistant at Springware, tells her that his death might have been a murder, and she’s suddenly right back where she started. Rita has found incriminating documents that places the NSA behind Jack being murdered, but how are they going to convince anyone that the NSA killed someone working at a gaming software company? Together, they begin to realize this situation is beyond their control….and that they aren’t the only ones who know the truth.
This was such a fast-paced story and I ate it right up; started it this afternoon and finished it pretty much in 1 sitting. While I did like the short chapters, multiple perspectives, and the speedy storyline, it left a lot to be desired in the way of character depth and realistic scenarios. One thing I also found I don’t love in books is head-hopping, which is when the perspectives shift between characters in the same chapter/paragraph. It makes me confused on who is thinking/saying what until I use context clues to piece it together (not a hard thing to do, but it takes me out of the story a bit). This is definitely a book I’d recommend to anyone in a slump or if you want something quick that will keep your attention.
This was such a fast-paced story and I ate it right up; started it this afternoon and finished it pretty much in 1 sitting. While I did like the short chapters, multiple perspectives, and the speedy storyline, it left a lot to be desired in the way of character depth and realistic scenarios. One thing I also found I don’t love in books is head-hopping, which is when the perspectives shift between characters in the same chapter/paragraph. It makes me confused on who is thinking/saying what until I use context clues to piece it together (not a hard thing to do, but it takes me out of the story a bit). This is definitely a book I’d recommend to anyone in a slump or if you want something quick that will keep your attention.
December 16, 2022
I could not wait to get my hands on this book. I love thrillers and this one sounded perfect! I’m so glad to find out the author is writing a second and third book in this series as I want to keep reading about the characters. The book opens a week after the knock on the door that no one wants to receive. The one where to find out your spouse is dead. It was explained as an accident but Lori, Jack’s widow, and Rita, Jack’s former assistant, finds out Jack trying to stop the release of software because he had large concerns about it. As Lori and Rita investigate, they uncover more secrets.
I was drawn in by the characters. You have the policeman at the end of his career (or so people think), the boss who wants to make a lot of month, the investigative reporter who won’t stop digging, the assistant who knows something is wrong, and the widow who wants to find out if her husband was killed and why. The cast told the story so well. The story is set in winter which plays a part in the book in the way only winter can. If you enjoy a good crime thriller with a lot at risk, you will enjoy this book!
I was drawn in by the characters. You have the policeman at the end of his career (or so people think), the boss who wants to make a lot of month, the investigative reporter who won’t stop digging, the assistant who knows something is wrong, and the widow who wants to find out if her husband was killed and why. The cast told the story so well. The story is set in winter which plays a part in the book in the way only winter can. If you enjoy a good crime thriller with a lot at risk, you will enjoy this book!
November 16, 2023
"Lori Crawford's world is turned upside down when her husband dies in a car accident. After twenty-five years of marriage, she thought she would forever live an uncomplicated, happy life with Jack. But just as Lori feels she’s coming out on the other side of her grief, Jack’s assistant at Spring Ware, Rita Johnson, discovers information that convinces her that Jack was murdered. The two women vow to bring the perpetrator to justice. But time is running out, and their names are on someone’s kill list. The truth takes them down a path they never could have suspected. They set out to bring down one of the most powerful men in the country: the director of the National Security Agency. But who will believe them? And how many more will die before they do? Now, they have to decide if they have the courage—and the ability—to finish what they started."
Good story, took a bit to pickup for me, the characters were good.
I give this book 3 stars.
Thank you to Subplot, netgalley, and the author for a chance to give an honest review.
Published Oct 4th, 2022.
Good story, took a bit to pickup for me, the characters were good.
I give this book 3 stars.
Thank you to Subplot, netgalley, and the author for a chance to give an honest review.
Published Oct 4th, 2022.
October 25, 2022
I need to catch my breath after finishing this one. It was non-stop action and quite an engaging storyline. Our main characters are two rather ordinary women, caught up in a situation none of them could predict coming. But they were sharp and tenacious and brave, if not a little reckless in their belief that they could take on the big players in this game that they knew very little about. We have Lori, whose husband is killed in a car accident, and Rita, her husband's former assistant, who learns that the "accident" was so much more than just a tire blowing out. Together, they uncover the underlying truth and all the nefarious players, and it's a race against time and the powerful people behind it all. Soon bodies start piling up and they realize the deadly power games they are playing.
October 6, 2022
A thrilling story that begins with Lori’s life being upended by a car accident that takes the life of her husband. Lori starts to come out of the fog of her grief and her life again is turned upside down. Her husband’s former assistant shows Lori evidence that Jack was murdered. The two women start on a quest to discover the truth. Obstacles are thrown at them by some powerful men and they want to stop the two women from finding out the truth. A suspenseful story about the searching for the truth. A fast paced story with great characters.
Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and Amplify Publishing for this ARC, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and Amplify Publishing for this ARC, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 7, 2022
Suspense, intrigue, action, and a great cast of characters. The storyline was interesting and flowed nicely. A bit slow at first, it got progressively faster and more exciting after the first third. It was refreshing to find a novel that relied on good storytelling rather than foul language and sex to keep things interesting. I wouldn’t lump it into the cosy mystery genre as it’s more intense than that. The characters being middle aged and older added extra layers of depth and interest to the storyline. A great start for a new author, I’m interested to see how she and the characters develop in the next book. Thanks, NetGalley, for a free copy in exchange for my honest review. Definitely recommend.
October 17, 2022
Lori Crawford will have a difficult time this holiday season after her husband's death in a car accident. They had been married for 25 years so she thought that she knew all there was to know about him.
Life goes on though until Jack's assistant Rita Johnson who works at SpringWare. Rita comes to her and tells her that her husband's death was suspicious and she thinks that he was murdered. SpringWare is a company that creates video games so what secrets could there be.
Somehow the company is involved with the National Security Agency but why? Rita is sure that there is something nefarious going on. So Rita and Lori embark on a search to see what they can find out. They are determined to bring the person they suspect to justice. But there are more deaths that are somehow made to look like suicides. But why? Did these people get too close to the truth? The ending will definitely surprise you!
This book had a lot of scary situations, but a book that is very readable. I enjoyed the story a lot and would highly recommend it. A great mystery!
Life goes on though until Jack's assistant Rita Johnson who works at SpringWare. Rita comes to her and tells her that her husband's death was suspicious and she thinks that he was murdered. SpringWare is a company that creates video games so what secrets could there be.
Somehow the company is involved with the National Security Agency but why? Rita is sure that there is something nefarious going on. So Rita and Lori embark on a search to see what they can find out. They are determined to bring the person they suspect to justice. But there are more deaths that are somehow made to look like suicides. But why? Did these people get too close to the truth? The ending will definitely surprise you!
This book had a lot of scary situations, but a book that is very readable. I enjoyed the story a lot and would highly recommend it. A great mystery!
October 3, 2022
A Knock on the Door is a suspenseful story full of scary scenarios. Lori Crawford is trying to survive the grief of losing her husband, Jack. The couple, deeply in love after 25 years, was all the world for each other. Lori can't understand how Jack could have lost control of his car and drowned in a river.
Lori worked hard at coping until Rita, a woman who worked with Jack, came to her and said she thought something was going on and Jack's accident was something else.
Together Lori and Rita begin piecing the possibilities, and this taut and suspenseful novel becomes a real page-turner.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.
Lori worked hard at coping until Rita, a woman who worked with Jack, came to her and said she thought something was going on and Jack's accident was something else.
Together Lori and Rita begin piecing the possibilities, and this taut and suspenseful novel becomes a real page-turner.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.
Want to read
October 9, 2022When Lori's husband is killed in a car accident, she must reimagine her future without him. As she finally feels that she can face each day again, she learns that her husband's accident was not an accident. Her efforts to learn what happened to him and why will lead her into a battle against those who she thought would protect her.
The story line develops quickly into a search for the truth and a battle against the people who would rather she just accept her husband's death and move on. But Lori wants justice. A very good story that quickly held my attention, even when I should have been doing chores. The ending was a surprise. Read at your own risk......
The story line develops quickly into a search for the truth and a battle against the people who would rather she just accept her husband's death and move on. But Lori wants justice. A very good story that quickly held my attention, even when I should have been doing chores. The ending was a surprise. Read at your own risk......
November 26, 2022
My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
A well written quality debut, absorbing believable and entertaining from first to last page. Believable characters throughout and a clever descriptive intelligent story with plenty of surprises along the way. Modern themes but with old fashioned feel that I really enjoyed. In her notes the Author states some of these characters will ride again, and I look forward to that prospect, however sadly my particular favourite will not, as a victim of a hit and run which came as a complete shock, and left me blankly staring at the page open mouthed.
Completely recommended.
A well written quality debut, absorbing believable and entertaining from first to last page. Believable characters throughout and a clever descriptive intelligent story with plenty of surprises along the way. Modern themes but with old fashioned feel that I really enjoyed. In her notes the Author states some of these characters will ride again, and I look forward to that prospect, however sadly my particular favourite will not, as a victim of a hit and run which came as a complete shock, and left me blankly staring at the page open mouthed.
Completely recommended.
September 13, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
The ARC I received was quite difficult to read because a great many words were run together without a space, requiring concentration to maintain the sense. However, I'm very glad I persevered, this is a very good debut novel. The plot was good, and suspense maintained throughout, in part because the reveal of the programme content did not happen until over 50% through. I liked the realistic characters, and the actions they took were totally credible. The final twists were interesting and exciting, a well-thought-out story!
The ARC I received was quite difficult to read because a great many words were run together without a space, requiring concentration to maintain the sense. However, I'm very glad I persevered, this is a very good debut novel. The plot was good, and suspense maintained throughout, in part because the reveal of the programme content did not happen until over 50% through. I liked the realistic characters, and the actions they took were totally credible. The final twists were interesting and exciting, a well-thought-out story!
October 18, 2022
I love it when a books grabs you within the first few pages - and this one did just that. Fast paced plot with a great story of the ordinary civilian up against high-powered people; very David and Goliath. Who can you trust and how can you stay alive to uncover and expose the truth? And what IS the truth - keeps us guessing a while on what exactly the secret is and then used it in the plot - which I particularly enjoyed. Was also excellent to have two strong female protagonists. Loved the book and look forward to reading her next one.
Read
December 2, 2022Four murders in a few months, all from the same software development company. Could it have anything to do with the software being developed for the National Security Agency?
The book dragged a bit in spots, but Roberta Fernandez starts the suspense early and continues to ramp it up with this apparent first novel in a series. Her characters are well drawn, and the amateur sleuths become a tight-knit group as the action advances.
I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book dragged a bit in spots, but Roberta Fernandez starts the suspense early and continues to ramp it up with this apparent first novel in a series. Her characters are well drawn, and the amateur sleuths become a tight-knit group as the action advances.
I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2023
I received this book on NetGalley. Lori Crawford is preparing for her first Christmas after her husband has died in a car accident, when she receives a note that indicates that his death may not have been an accident. Through collaboration with one of his old co-workers, they discover that Jack may have been hindrance to a software program developed for the NSA. Things unravel quickly as the two women try to determine what the proper course of action should be. This was an exciting read with enjoyable characters.
November 23, 2022
Wow! This was one of the most intense thrillers I've read for a while. It's so cleverly layered and written and there is just a non stop cat and mouse type chain of events that just sweep everyone in its path, away! It's not a quick read or a book you can read whilst you're multitasking or also talking to the hubby. You need focus and to really shut the world away whilst you get completely lost in this book. Definitely recommended!
December 31, 2022
Great debut book by this author. Just enough suspense to keep me turning pages later in the night than I should have been. A couple twists and good character development. Honestly, the only criticism I have is the fact that two of the male characters drive cars that are absolutely not drivable in the weather she describes (a Miata and Mustang do not drive in snow).
February 7, 2023
It' is about a new, big business. Suddenly, a woman's husband disappears. She believes he has been murdered. This lady is his wife. All of a sudden, she is playing a role in life that she never expected. If you like business and a murder mystery, you will like"A Knock on the Door" by Roberta K. Fernandez.
October 4, 2022
A knock on the door is a good book. Nicely written and full of well developed characters. There's some mystery and there's some intrigue. The result is interesting.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance of reading this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance of reading this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 7, 2022
There was a good idea behind the plot of this book but it a bit of a slog in the development of it. I understood how much Lori was missing her late husband and would have done so with much less angst about it. Not a long read and some decent characters to be interested in.
November 19, 2022
It wasn't a bad book. I'm not big of things involving government agencies. I liked the characters well enough but I didn't feel an oomph when something meant to be shocking happened or an urgency to pick this up and continue reading. It's likeable I just wouldn't rate it more than a 3.5.
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