The Interview

by Helga Zeiner

Famous author Franka Stone doesn’t give interviews. Ever. Her past is nobody’s business, and nobody needs to know anything about the horrible events that took place while she was in India. Such a beautiful country—so exotic, so romantic, so dangerous. Her secrets must stay hidden there forever.
But cold and calculating Amy will stop at nothing for a good story. She has set her eyes firmly on her journalistic career—and on Franka’s own beloved grandson who is besotted with her.
When Franka finally grants her an interview, she intents to twist the truth enough to throw Amy off track. But Amy is clever, and persistent. She keeps digging into the past, unaware of the horrible consequences of her relentless hounding. Can Franka stop her in time, before her reputation and her family will be destroyed?

Genres: Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published February 3, 2023

About the author

Helga Zeiner is a German-born Canadian author. She left her home town Augsburg at the age of eighteen to explore the world. For the following fourteen years, she lived and worked in Australia and Asia before she married and settled in Canada.
All her stories have been inspired by her years of extensive travels. The reader can only guess which parts of her dramatic thrillers are based on real-life experiences or might be the product of her imagination.
She now lives on Vancouver Island, unless she is traveling the world again. Aside from writing, Helga loves reading, (anything but preferably dark and twisty), dogs, (all breeds and mixes but preferably Chow Chows), wine (preferably the bubbly kind), cooking and eating (preferably with good friends and family), and last but not least, her hubby Mani (no preference specified there—she loves everything about him).

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always grateful when an author takes me places that are a bit unexpected. Ms. Zeiner has done that in this book to be released in February, 2023. This book is well written with an easy flow between past and present events in the life of a famous author. Very enjoyable read!

My thanks to the author, Helga Zeiner, and the publisher, Sunset Buffalo Books, for my electronic copy of this book. #Goodreads Giveaway

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franka is a famous author with secrets. She tries to keep her past hidden by not taking personal interview requests. When her estranged grandson Harry asks Franka to allow his girlfriend Amy to interview her, she agrees so that she can spend time getting to know him. The book takes the reader along two timelines. The present timeline has Amy digging into Franka’s past and uncovering secrets that Franka had hoped to keep hidden. While the other timeline takes us through Franka as a young woman. As the two timelines converge, we find out that things weren’t as they seemed. I loved this book. Every time I thought we had reached the end, something happened to keep me guessing. The twist and turns continued until the very last sentence.

[TaniaRina · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘What a tangled web we weave…’
I don’t know which wacko was the worst of the bunch. But the author sure did present the situation, quirks, locations, consequences, relationships, timings, etc. in a credible manner. High drama family saga that packs a punch.

I’d definitely read more of this author’s works.

[Phillip Kang · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Interview” is a domestic psychological thriller that is centered on a love triangle that has disastrous repercussions.

Famous author Franka Stone has secrets that she doesn’t want the world to know: what happened when she was in India four years ago. That’s why she’s adamant about not taking personal interview requests. Not until she gets to meet Amy, her estranged grandson Harry's girlfriend. Amy needs a boost to launch her journalistic career. What better to do it than delve into the dark secrets of someone who’s not only famous, but who she’s going to be related to. Finally Franka relents only because she wants to get to know Harry better.

Franka’s interview recounts what happened to her, her best friend Irene and Naresh, the man they both loved. Irene stole him and married him. The couple left Germany for India, where Naresh headed the family business. Franka managed to forget about this unhappy episode but a plea from Irene’s mother to help her daughter opened up old wounds that caused her life to spiral in a tailspin.

The interview causes Franka to confront her past relationships with Irene and Naresh that have serious consequences to her present life and to those she loves.

Helga Zeiner has woven a captivating story full of twists and turns that one would never expect what would happen next. This enduring quality got me to keep reading on to the end. What a ride that was! A jolly good read indeed!

I received the advanced review copy from BookSirens. I’m dropping this review voluntarily.

[Helga Zeiner]

Do you want to preview my latest? I'm inviting readers to register for a free advance copy.
Here is what it's all about:

Famous author Franka Stone doesn’t give interviews. Ever. Her past is nobody’s business, and nobody needs to know anything about the horrible events that took place while she was in India. Such a beautiful country—so exotic, so romantic, so dangerous. Her secrets must stay hidden there forever.
But cold and calculating Amy will stop at nothing for a good story. She has set her eyes firmly on her journalistic career—and on Franka’s own beloved grandson who is besotted with her.
When Franka finally grants her an interview, she intends to twist the truth enough to throw Amy off track. But Amy is clever and persistent. She keeps digging into the past, unaware of the horrible consequences of her relentless hounding. Can Franka stop her in time, before her reputation and her family will be destroyed?

The print book will be published by Dec 10th and the Ebook is scheduled for February 3.
I am now inviting ARC readers to preview The Interview. If this catches your interest, please send me a message and I will add you to my list to make sure you get a free copy before Christmas.

[Pheadra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a rather drawn out, convoluted tale of three's a crowd. Franka loves Naresh. Irene, her best friend 'steals' Naresh and marries him. They leave Germany for India where Naresh heads the family business empire. When 4 years later Anna, Irene's mother, contacts Franka imploring her to help Irene escape Naresh and his family's cruelty  where she is held prisoner, Franka has a decision to make. Will she accept Anna's money and go to India under the guise of helping Irene but really travel to see Naresh?

This is the long journey we are taken on with its consequences years down the line, starting with Franks being asked as a bestselling author forxan interview by her grandson's girlfriend, Amy. I was offered a copy of this book in return for a voluntary review. 3 and a half stars.

[Carol Kraklan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Franka Stone is a famous writer. She hides details of her life from her family and her fans. She lives a very guarded life until her grandson’s fiancé, Amy, asks to interview her. This unravels the truth about her past, which collides with the present. While, I understand her guardedness, I would have liked more details about why she was this way (other than the obvious reason in the book). It’s sad that she lived her whole life being spiteful.

Thank you to the author, Helga Zeiner, and the publisher, Sunset Buffalo Books, for my free electronic copy of this book. #Goodreads Giveaway

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have given it more stars...

if it hadn't been for the language and the woman pleasuring herself.
The plot was interesting, though, I did get part of it very early on.
It did end on a cliffhanger, wish is not satisfying. However, I wasn't interested enough to read if there's a sequel to this.
I will be deleting it permanently from my kindle as it's not one I care to read again.
I did appreciate winning it though.

[Snapdragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Love Triangle - Never a Good Thing

This story had all the internal conflicts between doing what's right and yet the overwhelming pull to give in to dangerous desires. Secrets from the past collide with the present. Parts of this story were annoyingly predictable, while other parts were unexpected. I enjoyed this read! I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.

[books&PB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twisty tale kept me guessing!

I would recommend this book to people who enjoy domestic thrillers packed with intrigue and well developed characters. While there was not one single character in this book that I liked, I was still hooked by the writing and plot line and had to keep reading to find out how it would all end. The ending even was a surprise!

[Yvonne Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot. I liked how the story was told using both the present and the past. It is sort of like two stories in one book although the stories are connected. The characters are interesting. Although some parts of the story are predictable, there are some twists to keep you engaged.
Thanks for the free book.

[Manana Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant

Masterfully written book, captivating, page turner story, one mystery unfolds the next one till end of book. My favourite part was the last chapter, where Franka outsmarted her two nemesis Irene and Naresh. I am not gonna to describe what is a story about, because each reader has to have their on experience and opinion. ❤

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read!

I found this book a very interesting read. There were many twists and turns which made me want to continue reading. I love a book that surprises you in the end and this one did that. Enjoy!

[Robert Melick · Rating 5 out of 5]

so glad I found this author

This is the second book I have read by Helga Zeiner. The first book I read was called Tiara. It has been a long time since I have read books in one day. I hope to read more by her.

[Frank Scarbrough · Rating 4 out of 5]

good, tense crime fiction.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book on a Goodreads giveaway. The concept of this book was very interesting, I liked that the formatting of the book was in a interview and the story would switch to different times as she was telling the story. I was not expecting the ending to turn out how it did.

5 stars - one of my favorite books
4 stars - really enjoyed it and would read again
3 stars - enjoyed reading it but would probably not read it again
2 stars - felt indifferent about the book
1 star - didn't like the book