What do you think?
Rate this book
Saving Myles
When the FBI can’t help, an unassuming banker takes matters into his own hands to bring his son home
Wade, a respected banker in La Jolla, CA, and his estranged wife, Fiona, make the unbearable decision to send their teenage son, Myles, away to an expensive treatment center after a streak of harmful behavior. After a year of treatment, Myles comes home, seemingly rehabilitated. But soon, he sneaks off to Tijuana to buy drugs—and is kidnapped.
When the ransom call comes, Fiona is frantic and accepts help from Andre, the Quebecois whose charity Fiona runs. Wade is wary of Andre’s reputation and the bank he owns, but seeing no other way to secure a kidnap negotiator or the ransom, he swallows his doubts to get his son home.
In order to get the ransom money, Wade makes a deal with Andre—he’ll work for Andre’s bank in exchange for the cash. But as Wade races to rescue Myles before his kidnappers lose their patience, he realizes he’s wrapped up in more crime than just a kidnapping—he’s now indebted to a cartel.
Perfect for fans of Harlan Coben and Lisa Scottoline
Wade, a respected banker in La Jolla, CA, and his estranged wife, Fiona, make the unbearable decision to send their teenage son, Myles, away to an expensive treatment center after a streak of harmful behavior. After a year of treatment, Myles comes home, seemingly rehabilitated. But soon, he sneaks off to Tijuana to buy drugs—and is kidnapped.
When the ransom call comes, Fiona is frantic and accepts help from Andre, the Quebecois whose charity Fiona runs. Wade is wary of Andre’s reputation and the bank he owns, but seeing no other way to secure a kidnap negotiator or the ransom, he swallows his doubts to get his son home.
In order to get the ransom money, Wade makes a deal with Andre—he’ll work for Andre’s bank in exchange for the cash. But as Wade races to rescue Myles before his kidnappers lose their patience, he realizes he’s wrapped up in more crime than just a kidnapping—he’s now indebted to a cartel.
Perfect for fans of Harlan Coben and Lisa Scottoline
336 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 2023
21 people are currently reading
10396 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
March 27, 2023
Saving Myles:
There are some books that are so well-drawn they can evoke single word descriptions. Saving Myles is one of those books. The writing craft is high level and from the first opening words the reader knows they are in for a treat. The reader knows those single evocative words: Vivid. Real. And most of all, tense. The kind of words that means you can’t ask more from a novel.
The story is written in a thriller construction which makes the story run quick and lean. The topic is what parents fear the most. What makes parents the most vulnerable; the inability to control the fate of their child. Vonderau takes a page from Stephan King’s On Writing and establishes a relationship with the reader. Something common the reader can relate to and say, “Oh geeze, that’s exactly the way that happened to me.” Vonderau does this with a subtle finesse that envelopes the reader, tugs them along turning page after page. This is a great read not to be passed up. The style, the genre reminds me of the best of Harlan Coben, and Linwood Barclay. You heard it here first Carl Vonderau is someone to watch.
David Putnam author of the Bruno Johnson series (and the Dave Beckett series, the Bone Dick)
There are some books that are so well-drawn they can evoke single word descriptions. Saving Myles is one of those books. The writing craft is high level and from the first opening words the reader knows they are in for a treat. The reader knows those single evocative words: Vivid. Real. And most of all, tense. The kind of words that means you can’t ask more from a novel.
The story is written in a thriller construction which makes the story run quick and lean. The topic is what parents fear the most. What makes parents the most vulnerable; the inability to control the fate of their child. Vonderau takes a page from Stephan King’s On Writing and establishes a relationship with the reader. Something common the reader can relate to and say, “Oh geeze, that’s exactly the way that happened to me.” Vonderau does this with a subtle finesse that envelopes the reader, tugs them along turning page after page. This is a great read not to be passed up. The style, the genre reminds me of the best of Harlan Coben, and Linwood Barclay. You heard it here first Carl Vonderau is someone to watch.
David Putnam author of the Bruno Johnson series (and the Dave Beckett series, the Bone Dick)
August 8, 2023
Wade, a banker and his estranged wife Fiona, have a big problem. Their son, Myles, has become addict. In desperation, they send him to Hidden Road, an ultra expensive, rehabilitation home for a year to recover, incurring a sizeable loan with strings attached.
Myles returns home, and seems fine for awhile, but once again mixes with the wrong crowd, where he and his girlfriend wind up in Tijuana, trying to buy drugs. Wade is caught but not by the police by by a Mexican cartel who kidnaps him and demands ransom.
Having used all their money to send Myles to Hidden Road, their hands are tied so they decide to use another route that leads them into a deadly journey with the cartel, the DEA, and the FBI. n desperation, Fiona turns to her boss, Andre, who runs their non profit organization to help children. The deal that is made entails Wade going to work for Andre at his bank, which turns into a most devious ploy.
The question is will Wade do this job or will Myles die at the hands of the ruthless cartel?
There are some fine moments in the story, but I thought it dragged on a bit and was anxious to see the end in sight. Thank you to Carl Vonderau, Oceanview Publishing, and NetGalley for a copy of this story due out August 15, of this year.
August 15, 2023
SAVING MYLES is such a twisted tale. Wade and his estranged wife, Fiona are parents to Myles. Myles is a kid with a drug addiction. They decide the best thing to do for him is to send him to Hidden Road, an exclusive rehabilitation home. They use all their money to pay for his stay. After one year, he returns home. Soon after he arrives, he sneaks out to Tijuana to buy, what else, drugs, and is kidnapped! Wade and Fiona are pretty much broke and can’t pay the ransom, so they must come up with a different plan to save their son. Fiona turns to her boss, Andre, who runs their non profit organization to help children.
SAVING MYLES is about the length parents will go to protect their child from harm. It was hard for me to connect with Wade and Fiona. Fiona is very bitter about having to send Myles to rehab. She is what I would call an enabler. Anyway, it was really hard for me to care about these two when you never really learn too much about them.
The first half of SAVING MYLES is fast paced and when I got to the second half it slowed down too much and I found myself bored. I will say, I loved Carl Vonderau’s style of writing as well as the plot. If only the pace could have kept up, like in the first half, I wouldn’t have struggled to finish.
I received a compliment copy of this book from Swell Media through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
SAVING MYLES is about the length parents will go to protect their child from harm. It was hard for me to connect with Wade and Fiona. Fiona is very bitter about having to send Myles to rehab. She is what I would call an enabler. Anyway, it was really hard for me to care about these two when you never really learn too much about them.
The first half of SAVING MYLES is fast paced and when I got to the second half it slowed down too much and I found myself bored. I will say, I loved Carl Vonderau’s style of writing as well as the plot. If only the pace could have kept up, like in the first half, I wouldn’t have struggled to finish.
I received a compliment copy of this book from Swell Media through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 27, 2024
WOW! This book had me hooked from the very first page, and it never let go. The author does a wonderful job of showing the emotional impact of having to make hard choices for those you love, and how those choices can so quickly spiral out of control. The suspense was taut all the way through and every situation had me worried for the characters! I also loved that Wade and Fiona's relationship was depicted realistically and that every one of the characters had such distinct layers and growth throughout. Bravo to the author! I can't recommend Saving Myles enough.
November 9, 2022
Saving Myles starts with a family desperate to save their teenage son from drug use and ends up exploring the lawless Southern border and the tentacles of the drug cartels who control the open border. It’s a story about how easy it is to become enmeshed in the hell that the drug lords have created and how far the reach of their money laundering enterprises have reached.
September 6, 2023
Saving Myles
Carl Vonderau
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
Is there anything a parent wouldn’t do to save his child’s life? Author Vonderau ponders this question in this riveting, edge-of-your-seat thriller, his follow-up novel to the award-winning debut, “Murderabilia.” Wade and Fiona Bosworth are both highly successful in their own right in the affluent lifestyle of La Jolla, CA. Their lives come to a crashing halt when their eighteen-year-old son becomes embroiled in the drug world.
Fearing the inevitable downward spiral of drug life, they literally mortgage their future to send him to Hidden Road Academy, an intensive, life-altering, regimented drug rehab program in the mountains of Utah. They blame each other for their failings; it seems they have always fought and argued about Myles for most of his life. Wade, a highly respected senior banker at a prestigious bank, admits he has spent so much time at work that he has neglected his duties as both a father and husband. He moves out and lives in a high-rise condo in Little Italy, mourning the loss of his son and wife.
Myles returns home after a year of rehab, appearing different and responsible. He lives with his mother, accepting the rules of a Home Contract. However, barely four months after his return, the rules start to slide. In his mother’s BMW, he sneaks across the border to Tijuana, Mexico, to party with his new girlfriend, Melissa. Her image screams trouble, with her spiked leather collar, purple hair (it was blue last week), and a tight black t-shirt designed to show off her buxom figure.
In the next scene, Wade is abruptly awakened in the early morning hours by his apartment buzzer. Standing before him is Peter Vanhoven, father of Melissa and a very successful investment banker. Melissa has called him from Tijuana: “Myles has disappeared.” He was apparently kidnapped from a parking lot at a raucous bar. These two high-flying deal-makers, both with marital problems and kid troubles, immediately join forces and drive to Tijuana. Wade contacts the consulate and the FBI, who state they cannot intervene. The Tijuana Police Force refers them to a special kidnapping unit. The kidnappers contact Wade, suggesting he sell his assets and borrow what he can; a ransom request will follow. Their ultimate demand is five hundred thousand, a sum they most certainly do not have. Fiona works for a highly successful charitable organization, “Comunidad de Ninos,” ironically aiming to “save children’s lives.” Her charismatic boss and CEO of the charity, Andre Ouelette, suggests she sign a promissory note and borrow the money from the charity. Simultaneously, Andre pressures Wade with an offer: “come work for me” in exchange for help in paying the ransom.
Wade’s moral radar blares. He considers Andre’s sketchy reputation, questionable client list, and shadowy ownership, suspecting criminal involvement and money laundering behind Andre’s bank: Unity Coast Bank.
Carl Vonderau masterfully weaves a complex and twisted narrative, exploring the depths of a parent’s love when faced with seemingly unfathomable criminal situations. Intrigue, suspense, and tension are ratcheted up to an unbearable degree as they confront deceit, double-crossing, and an invasive Mexican family drug cartel that will stop at nothing.
Thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
... Published at MysteryAnd SuspenseMagazine.com
Carl Vonderau
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
Is there anything a parent wouldn’t do to save his child’s life? Author Vonderau ponders this question in this riveting, edge-of-your-seat thriller, his follow-up novel to the award-winning debut, “Murderabilia.” Wade and Fiona Bosworth are both highly successful in their own right in the affluent lifestyle of La Jolla, CA. Their lives come to a crashing halt when their eighteen-year-old son becomes embroiled in the drug world.
Fearing the inevitable downward spiral of drug life, they literally mortgage their future to send him to Hidden Road Academy, an intensive, life-altering, regimented drug rehab program in the mountains of Utah. They blame each other for their failings; it seems they have always fought and argued about Myles for most of his life. Wade, a highly respected senior banker at a prestigious bank, admits he has spent so much time at work that he has neglected his duties as both a father and husband. He moves out and lives in a high-rise condo in Little Italy, mourning the loss of his son and wife.
Myles returns home after a year of rehab, appearing different and responsible. He lives with his mother, accepting the rules of a Home Contract. However, barely four months after his return, the rules start to slide. In his mother’s BMW, he sneaks across the border to Tijuana, Mexico, to party with his new girlfriend, Melissa. Her image screams trouble, with her spiked leather collar, purple hair (it was blue last week), and a tight black t-shirt designed to show off her buxom figure.
In the next scene, Wade is abruptly awakened in the early morning hours by his apartment buzzer. Standing before him is Peter Vanhoven, father of Melissa and a very successful investment banker. Melissa has called him from Tijuana: “Myles has disappeared.” He was apparently kidnapped from a parking lot at a raucous bar. These two high-flying deal-makers, both with marital problems and kid troubles, immediately join forces and drive to Tijuana. Wade contacts the consulate and the FBI, who state they cannot intervene. The Tijuana Police Force refers them to a special kidnapping unit. The kidnappers contact Wade, suggesting he sell his assets and borrow what he can; a ransom request will follow. Their ultimate demand is five hundred thousand, a sum they most certainly do not have. Fiona works for a highly successful charitable organization, “Comunidad de Ninos,” ironically aiming to “save children’s lives.” Her charismatic boss and CEO of the charity, Andre Ouelette, suggests she sign a promissory note and borrow the money from the charity. Simultaneously, Andre pressures Wade with an offer: “come work for me” in exchange for help in paying the ransom.
Wade’s moral radar blares. He considers Andre’s sketchy reputation, questionable client list, and shadowy ownership, suspecting criminal involvement and money laundering behind Andre’s bank: Unity Coast Bank.
Carl Vonderau masterfully weaves a complex and twisted narrative, exploring the depths of a parent’s love when faced with seemingly unfathomable criminal situations. Intrigue, suspense, and tension are ratcheted up to an unbearable degree as they confront deceit, double-crossing, and an invasive Mexican family drug cartel that will stop at nothing.
Thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
... Published at MysteryAnd SuspenseMagazine.com
February 19, 2023
Saving Myles was such a great read. A young man struggling with drugs whose parents will do anything to save their child. When Myles is kidnapped in Mexico his parents have no limits on what they would do to rescue their beloved son including making a deal with the cartel. The story line to this book is so different than the normal action crime thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for this read!
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for this read!
July 19, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! This story begins with Fiona and Wade making the difficult decision to send their son, Myles, to a rehab facility in another state due to drug use. 16 months later Myles is kidnapped in Mexico while trying to buy drugs. Fiona and Wade have to get their son home safe and they end up somewhat unknowingly working for the drug cartel in exchange for their son's safe return. I liked the premise of the story with the drug cartel and the twists that were revealed throughout the story. Unfortunately I didn't really connect to any of the characters. Maybe due to lack of backstory for them? I didn't know enough about any of the 3 main characters to really root for them if that makes sense. I also would have liked a little more information about Andre and Carmella. I felt like the relationship between Myles and Sofia seemed very rushed and I would have liked more about them and their interactions. Almost everything happens in the 1st 35% of the book and the story slowed down quite a bit. It picked back up around 80% and ended as expected. Overall just an ok read for me.
July 12, 2023
This is a unique book as it initially deals with a "camp" to which Myles is sent due to his drug use. Of course parents, Wade and Fiona are devastated but know this may be the only way to save his life. But when he returns a year later and is kidnapped after a foolish trip to Tijuana with a girl, things get dicier than anyone could have imagined! Now we're dealing with a drug cartel, hit men, suspicious deaths, the FBI, and confidential informants.This will never be a normal family again! But the action is enough to keep your head spinning so it's a fast-paced thriller that may keep you up to all hours!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
October 21, 2024
I would like to thank Oceanview Publishing and Carl Vonderau for granting me a digital copy of this book.
3⭐ - This fast-paced book follows Myles, who has been struggling with drug addiction. When his parents, Fiona and Wade sent him to rehab for a year to recover. It all seems okay until Myles falls back to his old ways and goes to Mexico to party, where he gets kidnapped and a ransom is demanded for his release.
What will the parents do? They spend their savings to send their only child to rehab. Overall a nice read with likeable characters filled with action in the first half, the second half is slower and a bit predictable.
3⭐ - This fast-paced book follows Myles, who has been struggling with drug addiction. When his parents, Fiona and Wade sent him to rehab for a year to recover. It all seems okay until Myles falls back to his old ways and goes to Mexico to party, where he gets kidnapped and a ransom is demanded for his release.
What will the parents do? They spend their savings to send their only child to rehab. Overall a nice read with likeable characters filled with action in the first half, the second half is slower and a bit predictable.
July 25, 2023
Wade and Fiona will do anything to save their teenage son Myles who has been kidnapped in Mexico. Myles went there to buy drugs and now the kidnappers want them to sell everything they own and borrow money to get him back.
There were some good twists and turns in this book that kept me engaged with the story and had me on the edge of my seat.
I really enjoyed this story and I will be looking out for more work from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
There were some good twists and turns in this book that kept me engaged with the story and had me on the edge of my seat.
I really enjoyed this story and I will be looking out for more work from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 6, 2023
This is the first Carl Vonderau book that I have read, and it won't be the last. The story is somewhat personal, having worked at one of the largest banks in the US and having to experience parent-child strain. Parents will do anything for their children, whatever it takes. It clearly captured the length Wade had to go through to save his son Myles and his wife Fiona. Sadly, Fiona isn't my favorite character. I believe the story would have survived, and a lot more twists could have been added to make the plot even more exciting without Fiona's character.
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing for the advance copy. The publisher and the author have no influence in writing this review. I won this book in a drawing, fair and square.
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing for the advance copy. The publisher and the author have no influence in writing this review. I won this book in a drawing, fair and square.
June 27, 2023
WHAT A BOOK! This was one of the most riveting and compelling novels I've read! I honestly couldn't put this book down. This author really captured the emotions and heartache and love involved in parenting and keeping your kids safe. Thank you to Carl Vondau and Oceanview publishing for the ARC - I thoroughly enjoyed it!
February 27, 2023
This my first novel by this author and he DID NOT disappoint. Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of this great novel for my honest opinion.
Where to start!!! Fast pace, edge of your seat family drama, THRILLER! This story tells of a parents unconditional love for there son Myles. Myles is a troubled teen who openly smokes joints at home but hides the hardcore drugs from his parents. Once his parents discover his addictions to pain killers they hash a plan to have their son taken in the wee hours of the morning to a rehab center. Once Myles returns, its only weeks before he dives deeper into the drug world. He gets kidnapped and that's when his parents really show the lengths of their undying love.
This one was read in on afternoon. Do yourself a favor and buy this drama.
Where to start!!! Fast pace, edge of your seat family drama, THRILLER! This story tells of a parents unconditional love for there son Myles. Myles is a troubled teen who openly smokes joints at home but hides the hardcore drugs from his parents. Once his parents discover his addictions to pain killers they hash a plan to have their son taken in the wee hours of the morning to a rehab center. Once Myles returns, its only weeks before he dives deeper into the drug world. He gets kidnapped and that's when his parents really show the lengths of their undying love.
This one was read in on afternoon. Do yourself a favor and buy this drama.
February 20, 2023
This fast paced read about the lengths a parents will go to save their son and the illegal world of Tijuana will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The story starts off with Myles parents late at night talking over the decision they made to have their son ripped from their home in the middle of the night and sent to a rehab center in the middle of nowhere after he’s been openly using drugs at home and they found a large of OxyContin hidden in his room.
18 months later Myles and his girlfriend (another one of his addictions) are in Tijuana about to make more bad decisions - he meets with a male for a drug deal and then disappears.
Then his Myles father receives a call - he’s kidnapped and they want a LOT of money. His banker father has nothing left as they spent it all on trying to get him help and the mother has moved out and has a new boyfriend - but she’s CEO of a company and someone can help.. but it won’t be legal.
I couldn’t put this down and I stayed up for hours to read it. Thank you net Galley and Ocean Publishing for this ARC!
The story starts off with Myles parents late at night talking over the decision they made to have their son ripped from their home in the middle of the night and sent to a rehab center in the middle of nowhere after he’s been openly using drugs at home and they found a large of OxyContin hidden in his room.
18 months later Myles and his girlfriend (another one of his addictions) are in Tijuana about to make more bad decisions - he meets with a male for a drug deal and then disappears.
Then his Myles father receives a call - he’s kidnapped and they want a LOT of money. His banker father has nothing left as they spent it all on trying to get him help and the mother has moved out and has a new boyfriend - but she’s CEO of a company and someone can help.. but it won’t be legal.
I couldn’t put this down and I stayed up for hours to read it. Thank you net Galley and Ocean Publishing for this ARC!
February 20, 2023
This fast paced read about the lengths a parents will go to save their son and the illegal world of Tijuana will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The story starts off with Myles parents late at night talking over the decision they made to have their son ripped from their home in the middle of the night and sent to a rehab center in the middle of nowhere after he’s been openly using drugs at home and they found a large of OxyContin hidden in his room.
18 months later Myles and his girlfriend (another one of his addictions) are in Tijuana about to make more bad decisions - he meets with a male for a drug deal and then disappears.
Then his Myles father receives a call - he’s kidnapped and they want a LOT of money. His banker father has nothing left as they spent it all on trying to get him help and the mother has moved out and has a new boyfriend - but she’s CEO of a company and someone can help.. but it won’t be legal.
I couldn’t put this down and I stayed up for hours to read it. Thank you net Galley and Ocean Publishing for this ARC!
The story starts off with Myles parents late at night talking over the decision they made to have their son ripped from their home in the middle of the night and sent to a rehab center in the middle of nowhere after he’s been openly using drugs at home and they found a large of OxyContin hidden in his room.
18 months later Myles and his girlfriend (another one of his addictions) are in Tijuana about to make more bad decisions - he meets with a male for a drug deal and then disappears.
Then his Myles father receives a call - he’s kidnapped and they want a LOT of money. His banker father has nothing left as they spent it all on trying to get him help and the mother has moved out and has a new boyfriend - but she’s CEO of a company and someone can help.. but it won’t be legal.
I couldn’t put this down and I stayed up for hours to read it. Thank you net Galley and Ocean Publishing for this ARC!
July 18, 2023
Soon after coming home from a treatment center Myles sneaks off to Tijuana to buy drugs and is kidnapped. When the ransom call comes and the FBI can’t help, Fiona accepts help from Andre, a shady character she works for at the charity. Wade is leery of Andre but he swallows is doubts to get his son home. But now the family is enmeshed with the drug lords and money laundering enterprises... indebted to a Mexican cartel can have deadly consequences....
From the opening word I knew I would love this story. What a treat it turned out to be. This well- drawn drama is vivid, realistic and most of all tense. It explores the feelings of parents and how far they are willing to go to safe their children. Myles parents are Fiona and Wade, they beautifully express their fear and anxiety while dealing with hit men, suspicious deaths, informants and the inability of the FBI to help them. The pacing is fast and furious and so intense it is hard to put this book aside for another time. It wouldn’t be a good family drama without a boyfriend and a girlfriend to spice the experience, we also have that. In the mix add multiple murders and the result is one of those riveting and compelling novels.
“Saving Myles” gives you one of those emotional journeys hard to put down. Well-said and well-done.
Thank you Ocean Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC
From the opening word I knew I would love this story. What a treat it turned out to be. This well- drawn drama is vivid, realistic and most of all tense. It explores the feelings of parents and how far they are willing to go to safe their children. Myles parents are Fiona and Wade, they beautifully express their fear and anxiety while dealing with hit men, suspicious deaths, informants and the inability of the FBI to help them. The pacing is fast and furious and so intense it is hard to put this book aside for another time. It wouldn’t be a good family drama without a boyfriend and a girlfriend to spice the experience, we also have that. In the mix add multiple murders and the result is one of those riveting and compelling novels.
“Saving Myles” gives you one of those emotional journeys hard to put down. Well-said and well-done.
Thank you Ocean Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC
February 18, 2023
Thank you to Oceanview Publishing for this early read! The chapters are the perfect length to keep the story going. The vivid details and depth of the characters connected me instantly to the plot. The twists and additions to the story line really make it easy to lose track of time while reading Saving Myles. I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy the family dynamic of the story, but Vonderau makes you feel apart of it. I suspected a lot of the story line, but seeing it pan out and the involvement of Mexican drug cartels and FBI is thrilling.
February 19, 2023
Saving Myles was such a great read. A young man struggling with drugs whose parents will do anything to save their child. When Myles is kidnapped in Mexico his parents have no limits on what they would do to rescue their beloved son including making a deal with the cartel. The story line to this book is so different than the normal action crime thrillers.
August 15, 2023
Dual Narrative novel with the POV's of Myles parents Wade and Fiona.
A Thrilling and compelling novel that makes you think more and more about making sure your children are safe and how parents would go to the ends of the earth to save their children.
Myles has returned after a short stay in a rehabilitation centre but after heading off to Tijuana with his friend Melissa, he is kidnapped. It is now up to his parents to save him and keep him safe.
I was very fortunate enough that Carl gave me the opportunity to read and review Saving Myles, he sent it all the way to me in Australia from the USA. My views are my own.
A Thrilling and compelling novel that makes you think more and more about making sure your children are safe and how parents would go to the ends of the earth to save their children.
Myles has returned after a short stay in a rehabilitation centre but after heading off to Tijuana with his friend Melissa, he is kidnapped. It is now up to his parents to save him and keep him safe.
I was very fortunate enough that Carl gave me the opportunity to read and review Saving Myles, he sent it all the way to me in Australia from the USA. My views are my own.
February 9, 2023
Myles is a troubled sixteen year old boy from La Jolla, CA who openly smokes marijuana at home and is struggling in school. After his parents, Wade and Fiona, find oxycontin hidden in his room, extreme measures are taken. Two men are hired to come into the family home at four in the morning and involuntarily taken Myles to Hidden Road Academy, a treatment facility in Utah. The hope is that after a year at Hidden Road Academy, Myles can have his life turned around before it is too late.
While Wade and Fiona hope that the year Myles spends at Hidden Road Academy will be the nudge he needs to change his life, Myles quickly finds himself back to his old ways weeks after returning home. He has snuck away to Tijuana, Mexico. A bad decision turns into a crisis as Myles disappears.
This is the setup for Carl Vonderau’s excellent novel, Saving Myles. After Myles disappears we are treated to a dark and sinister story about the length parents will go to protect their children. This story dives deep into the underworld of Tijuana and San Diego and how the tentacles of organized crime can quickly find you sucked in with no way out. In addition, Vonderau also explores family and the complicated dynamics of a trouble teenage child along with two parents who have to juggle their undying love for their child alongside a rocky marriage chalked full of resentment.
This novel is fast paced and an excellent read throughout. I especially enjoyed the structure of each chapter being told from the point of view of either Myles, Wade, or Fiona, which really puts a spotlight on the family dynamic in this story. In addition, I also appreciate that unlike many crime or mystery novels that place the focus of the story on law enforcement investigators, this novel strictly focuses on the victim and his family.
Given that this the first time I’ve read a novel from Carl Vonderau, I look forward to reading his previous novel, Muderabilia, alongside any future releases.
Highly recommended if you enjoy crime thrillers.
While Wade and Fiona hope that the year Myles spends at Hidden Road Academy will be the nudge he needs to change his life, Myles quickly finds himself back to his old ways weeks after returning home. He has snuck away to Tijuana, Mexico. A bad decision turns into a crisis as Myles disappears.
This is the setup for Carl Vonderau’s excellent novel, Saving Myles. After Myles disappears we are treated to a dark and sinister story about the length parents will go to protect their children. This story dives deep into the underworld of Tijuana and San Diego and how the tentacles of organized crime can quickly find you sucked in with no way out. In addition, Vonderau also explores family and the complicated dynamics of a trouble teenage child along with two parents who have to juggle their undying love for their child alongside a rocky marriage chalked full of resentment.
This novel is fast paced and an excellent read throughout. I especially enjoyed the structure of each chapter being told from the point of view of either Myles, Wade, or Fiona, which really puts a spotlight on the family dynamic in this story. In addition, I also appreciate that unlike many crime or mystery novels that place the focus of the story on law enforcement investigators, this novel strictly focuses on the victim and his family.
Given that this the first time I’ve read a novel from Carl Vonderau, I look forward to reading his previous novel, Muderabilia, alongside any future releases.
Highly recommended if you enjoy crime thrillers.
July 27, 2023
Carl Vonderau's novel Saving Myles is a tense thriller that delves into family relationships and the lengths we are willing to go to for the people we love. Wade and Fiona Bosworth believe they have done everything they can to keep their son Myles from ruining his life with drugs, alcohol, and bad choices. But when he is kidnapped, they are forced to examine not only their basic moral principles but also the consequences of every action they have taken. It's a suspenseful ride to the finish line, but even the ending doesn't truly resolve all the issues.
The novel is told primarily in declarative sentences, giving a staccato quality to the work. For readers who enjoy a more nuanced presentation, this style may grate. It does, however, work to build tension. The choices his characters make leave a reader gritting their teeth and wanting to scream, but somehow Vonderau pulls this off.
The novel is told primarily in declarative sentences, giving a staccato quality to the work. For readers who enjoy a more nuanced presentation, this style may grate. It does, however, work to build tension. The choices his characters make leave a reader gritting their teeth and wanting to scream, but somehow Vonderau pulls this off.
February 12, 2023
This book grabbed my heart from the opening chapters. The scene where the parents have different ideas on how to manage their troubled child and land with the hardline approach of the father. The mother struggles with her guild and you know you will be on an emotional journey with a well constructed plot. I don't want to spoil any of the story for readers once this book is released into the world. Highly recommend.
February 24, 2023
(3.5 stars)
"OxyContin. It was a word that didn't admit other words like maturation or experimentation or youthful mistakes." Saving Myles is about the lengths parents will go to protect their children from harm. It begins with the forcible extraction of Myles to a drug rehabilitation program, and ends with entanglement with a Mexican drug and crime cartel. The process rips the family apart, which complicates the fight to save Myles when he is later kidnapped by the cartel when trying to purchase drugs in Tijuana. As someone who lives on an island, so not near a hotly contested border with the bulk of wealth and privilege on one side, I found the Mexican-USA relationships described in this book interesting, particularly relating to the limits of law enforcement.
None of the characters quite gelled for me, I wasn't that fussed on Wade, who is a banker, or his former wife who wallows in self-pity and discards her lover at the first sign of trouble: "All affairs eventually lost their poetry. Then she would be alone again in this house." She retains a lot of anger about the decision to send her son to rehabilitation (one she clearly agreed to at the time) and it makes her a fairly unlikeable character. You can see how Myles came to use drugs, though even he was a bit underdeveloped, with his reasons for using drugs never really explored. While definitely readable and enjoyable, I was left wanting a bit more from this one: it didn't quite make me look forward to going to bed to read.
With thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for sending me a copy to read.1>
"OxyContin. It was a word that didn't admit other words like maturation or experimentation or youthful mistakes." Saving Myles is about the lengths parents will go to protect their children from harm. It begins with the forcible extraction of Myles to a drug rehabilitation program, and ends with entanglement with a Mexican drug and crime cartel. The process rips the family apart, which complicates the fight to save Myles when he is later kidnapped by the cartel when trying to purchase drugs in Tijuana. As someone who lives on an island, so not near a hotly contested border with the bulk of wealth and privilege on one side, I found the Mexican-USA relationships described in this book interesting, particularly relating to the limits of law enforcement.
None of the characters quite gelled for me, I wasn't that fussed on Wade, who is a banker, or his former wife who wallows in self-pity and discards her lover at the first sign of trouble: "All affairs eventually lost their poetry. Then she would be alone again in this house." She retains a lot of anger about the decision to send her son to rehabilitation (one she clearly agreed to at the time) and it makes her a fairly unlikeable character. You can see how Myles came to use drugs, though even he was a bit underdeveloped, with his reasons for using drugs never really explored. While definitely readable and enjoyable, I was left wanting a bit more from this one: it didn't quite make me look forward to going to bed to read.
With thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for sending me a copy to read.1>
July 29, 2023
Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Myles is sent to a rehab facility to get help fir his addiction. When he comes home, the parents see some changes. When Myles goes on a trip, it becomes a families worst nightmare. This book delves into what a family goes through when a loved one is suffering from an addiction.
March 18, 2024
I finally got a chance to read Carl Vonderau's novel. Saving Myles was a slow burn for me. I had a hard time staying invested in the story to begin with but the action ramped up about half way through the book making it hard to put down. A solid 3 star novel if you just stick with it.
Thank you Netgalley for this arc
Thank you Netgalley for this arc
August 17, 2023
With his story set in a cross-border underworld, Vonderau does something different and takes readers headlong into matters of family love, loyalty, and sacrifice. Meticulously researched, Saving Miles is a nimble, page-turning thriller.
July 26, 2023
SAVING MYLES was a fantastic read that I couldn’t put down. Author Carl Vonderau did a great job of weaving together a thrilling plot along with complex characters. I found myself sympathizing with the main character, Wade, as he and his wife Fiona made the difficult decision to force their son to go to a residential treatment center for behavioral issues. The fallout from their decision creates a domino effect on the story that will make Wade question his choices and put his life on the line to save the ones he loves. Vonderau does a superb job of pacing, creating setting and tension, along with realistic characters and emotions. I found SAVING MYLES, tragic yet beautiful as a family faces their deepest fears, fights for each other, their love and finds their strength through devastating circumstances. I was given an ARC for a fair and honest review.
March 20, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for the copy of Saving Miles. I wanted to like this book, but the writing never engaged me and the story, while improbable, was still predictable in parts. Near the end there were some really good, engaging parts, but not enough for me to love this book.
If there had been more background about the characters and their relationships it would have made more sense why Fiona was living with another man so soon after Myles was sent to rehab, and why she was able to kick that boyfriend to the curb so quickly with no discussion. What was Wade and Fiona’s relationship before the rehab incident? What was Myles’s childhood like and what led up to everything changing? It was hard to care about the characters when I didn't really know anything about them.
If there had been more background about the characters and their relationships it would have made more sense why Fiona was living with another man so soon after Myles was sent to rehab, and why she was able to kick that boyfriend to the curb so quickly with no discussion. What was Wade and Fiona’s relationship before the rehab incident? What was Myles’s childhood like and what led up to everything changing? It was hard to care about the characters when I didn't really know anything about them.
November 18, 2023
Following his award-winning debut, Murderabilia, Carl Vonderau’s second novel, SAVING MYLES, sets its foundation around the diachronic question that has tormented every parent throughout time: How far would you go to save your own child? Vonderau deftly paints the portrait of a family in duress in this exhilarating thriller, which stands out both for its heavy plotting and witty dialogue.
Read my full review on ITW's online magazine "The Big Thrill": https://www.thebigthrill.org/2023/08/...
Read my full review on ITW's online magazine "The Big Thrill": https://www.thebigthrill.org/2023/08/...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews