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The Remains
Thirty years ago, teenager Rebecca Underhill and her twin sister Molly were abducted by a man who lived in a house in the woods behind their upstate New York farm. They were held inside that house for three horrifying hours, until making their daring escape. Vowing to keep their terrifying experience a secret in order to protect their mother and father, the girls tried to put the past behind them. And when their attacker was hunted down by police and sent to prison, they believed he was as good as dead. Now, it s 30 years later, and with Molly having passed away from cancer, Rebecca, a painter and art teacher, is left alone to bear the burden of a secret that has only gotten heavier and more painful with each passing year. But when Rebecca begins receiving some strange anonymous text messages, she begins to realize that the monster who attacked her all those years ago is not dead after all. He s back, and this time, he wants to do more than just haunt her. He wants her dead.
375 pages, Paperback
First published June 23, 2010
776 people are currently reading
3037 people want to read
About the author
Vincent Zandri
223 books576 followers"Vincent Zandri is one of the most acclaimed thriller writers working today!" --Publishers Weekly
“Zandri (is) a veteran wordsmith who executes quality and quantity at superlative levels.” --Book Reporter
"The story of Vincent Zandri is the story of our times."
--Business Insider
"Vincent Zandri hails from the future."
--The New York Times
“Sensational . . . masterful . . . brilliant.”
--New York Post
"...big time author..."
--Digital Journal
Considered one of the most prolific writers of his generation, Vincent Zandri is the winner of the 2015 PWA Shamus Award and the 2015 ITW Thriller Award, both for MOONLIGHT WEEPS in the Best Original Paperback category. He is also the NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, and AMAZON KINDLE OVERALL NO.1 bestselling author of hundreds of novels, novellas, and stories, including THE REMAINS, MOONLIGHT WEEPS, THE EMBALMER, THE SHROUD KEY and QUIETLY INTO THE NIGHT. His list of domestic publishers includes Delacorte, Dell, Down & Out Books, Thomas & Mercer, Blackstone Audio, Tantor Media, and more. He is also the CEO of Bear Media. An MFA in Writing graduate of Vermont College, his work is translated in the Dutch, Russian, French, Italian, and Japanese. Having sold over 1 million editions of his books, Zandri has been the subject of major features by the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and Business Insider. He has also made appearances on Bloomberg TV and the FOX News network. In December 2014, Suspense Magazine named Zandri's, THE SHROUD KEY, as one of the "Best Books of 2014." Suspense Magazine selected WHEN SHADOWS COME as one of the "Best Books of 2016". He was also a finalist for the 2019 Derringer Award for Best Novelette. A freelance photojournalist, freelance writer, and the host of the popular YouTube Podcast, "The Writer's Life," Zandri has written for Strategy Magazine, RT, Living Ready Magazine, New York Newsday, Hudson Valley Magazine, The Times Union (Albany), Game & Fish Magazine, CrimeReads, Altcoin Magazine, The Jerusalem Post (ghost), Market Business News (ghost), Duke University (ghost), Colgate University (ghost), New York University (ghost), The Rice University Gazette (ghost), Yale University (ghost), Digital Journal (ghost), and many more. An Active Member of ITW, he lives in New York and Florence, Italy. For more go to WWW.VINZANDRI.COM
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March 25, 2019
Now you see the devil. Now you don't.
March 2008
Green Haven Prison
Stormville, New York
As the final gate opens, the suited, middle-aged superintendent comes forward to greet the now former inmate Whalen.
“Do yourself a favor,” the super says. “Keep a low profile in Albany. It won’t be a pleasant experience for you. Even after thirty years, people have a way of remembering.”
Whalen bows his bald, scarred head, big eyes peering down at the painted concrete floor. “Cry, cry, cry,” he murmurs.
“Excuse me?” the super asks. “What’s that you said?”
But Whalen falls silent.
Clearing his throat, the superintendent bites down on his tongue. He offers his right hand to the now free man. “Godspeed,” he says through clenched teeth.
Taking the super’s fleshy hand in his, Whalen gives it a long, slow, loose shake before he makes his way out one final set of metal doors toward the bus ride that will take him north to Albany.
October 2, 2008
Albany, New York
In the deep night, a woman sits at her writing table. Fingering a newly sharpened pencil, she focuses her eyes upon the blank paper and brings the black pencil tip to it.
She begins to write.
Dear Mol, I’ve been dreaming about you again. I don’t think a night has gone by in the past few weeks when I haven’t seen your face. Our face, I should say. The face is always in my head, implanted in my memories. The dream is nothing new. It’s thirty years ago again. It’s October. I’m walking close behind you through the tall grass toward the woods. Your hair is loose and long. You’re wearing cut-offs, white Keds with the laces untied, and a red T-shirt that says Paul McCartney and Wings on the front. You’re walking ahead of me while I try to keep up—though I’m afraid to keep up. Soon we come to the tree line. My heart beating in my throat, we walk into the trees. But then comes a noise—a snapping of twigs and branches. The gaunt face of a man appears. A man who lives in a house in the woods.
Then, just like that, the dream shifts and I see you kneeling beside me inside the dark, empty basement. I hear the sound of your sniffles, smell the wormy raw earth, feel the cold touch of a man’s hand. You turn and you look at me with your solid steel eyes. And then I wake up.
We survived the house in the woods together, Mol, and we never told a soul. We just couldn’t risk it. Whalen would have come back for us. He would have found us. He would have found Mom and Dad. Even today, I know he surely would have. He would have killed them, Mol. He would have killed us. In just five days, thirty years will have passed. Three entire decades, and I’m still convinced we did the right thing by keeping that afternoon in the woods our secret.
When I see you in my dreams it’s like looking in a mirror. The blue eyes, the thick lips, the dirty-blonde hair forever just touching the shoulders. My hair is finally showing signs of gray, Mol. I wonder, do you get gray hair in heaven? I wonder if Whalen’s hair burned off in hell?
I wonder if he suffers?
All my love.
Your twin sister,
Rebecca Rose Underhill
********
The Remains by Vincent Zandri is an outstanding, compelling, heart pounding psychological suspence thriller!
The prologue hooked me, albeit with a large dose of the creeps, right from the start. As the story moves forward, the fear factor rises rapidly from chilling, to terrifying, to down right paralyzing!
Nevertheless, telling myself to take a breath and be brave, I kept turning one page, then another, then another.... I couldn't help it. I had to find out how it ends! Before I knew it I had blazed through it in one sitting!
If you're looking for a book that will scare the beans right out of the bag, this one really packs a punch!
March 2008
Green Haven Prison
Stormville, New York
As the final gate opens, the suited, middle-aged superintendent comes forward to greet the now former inmate Whalen.
“Do yourself a favor,” the super says. “Keep a low profile in Albany. It won’t be a pleasant experience for you. Even after thirty years, people have a way of remembering.”
Whalen bows his bald, scarred head, big eyes peering down at the painted concrete floor. “Cry, cry, cry,” he murmurs.
“Excuse me?” the super asks. “What’s that you said?”
But Whalen falls silent.
Clearing his throat, the superintendent bites down on his tongue. He offers his right hand to the now free man. “Godspeed,” he says through clenched teeth.
Taking the super’s fleshy hand in his, Whalen gives it a long, slow, loose shake before he makes his way out one final set of metal doors toward the bus ride that will take him north to Albany.
October 2, 2008
Albany, New York
In the deep night, a woman sits at her writing table. Fingering a newly sharpened pencil, she focuses her eyes upon the blank paper and brings the black pencil tip to it.
She begins to write.
Dear Mol, I’ve been dreaming about you again. I don’t think a night has gone by in the past few weeks when I haven’t seen your face. Our face, I should say. The face is always in my head, implanted in my memories. The dream is nothing new. It’s thirty years ago again. It’s October. I’m walking close behind you through the tall grass toward the woods. Your hair is loose and long. You’re wearing cut-offs, white Keds with the laces untied, and a red T-shirt that says Paul McCartney and Wings on the front. You’re walking ahead of me while I try to keep up—though I’m afraid to keep up. Soon we come to the tree line. My heart beating in my throat, we walk into the trees. But then comes a noise—a snapping of twigs and branches. The gaunt face of a man appears. A man who lives in a house in the woods.
Then, just like that, the dream shifts and I see you kneeling beside me inside the dark, empty basement. I hear the sound of your sniffles, smell the wormy raw earth, feel the cold touch of a man’s hand. You turn and you look at me with your solid steel eyes. And then I wake up.
We survived the house in the woods together, Mol, and we never told a soul. We just couldn’t risk it. Whalen would have come back for us. He would have found us. He would have found Mom and Dad. Even today, I know he surely would have. He would have killed them, Mol. He would have killed us. In just five days, thirty years will have passed. Three entire decades, and I’m still convinced we did the right thing by keeping that afternoon in the woods our secret.
When I see you in my dreams it’s like looking in a mirror. The blue eyes, the thick lips, the dirty-blonde hair forever just touching the shoulders. My hair is finally showing signs of gray, Mol. I wonder, do you get gray hair in heaven? I wonder if Whalen’s hair burned off in hell?
I wonder if he suffers?
All my love.
Your twin sister,
Rebecca Rose Underhill
********
The Remains by Vincent Zandri is an outstanding, compelling, heart pounding psychological suspence thriller!
The prologue hooked me, albeit with a large dose of the creeps, right from the start. As the story moves forward, the fear factor rises rapidly from chilling, to terrifying, to down right paralyzing!
Nevertheless, telling myself to take a breath and be brave, I kept turning one page, then another, then another.... I couldn't help it. I had to find out how it ends! Before I knew it I had blazed through it in one sitting!
If you're looking for a book that will scare the beans right out of the bag, this one really packs a punch!
November 19, 2018
The Remains
by Vincent Zandri
This was certainly a suspenseful thriller! Twins abducted as children but escaped from him and never told anyone. The guy went to prison for another crime for 30 years. Those 30 years are up and he is out!
A savant is drawing pictures of her past and her nightmares with warnings written in the paintings! I really liked the plot and characters!
by Vincent Zandri
This was certainly a suspenseful thriller! Twins abducted as children but escaped from him and never told anyone. The guy went to prison for another crime for 30 years. Those 30 years are up and he is out!
A savant is drawing pictures of her past and her nightmares with warnings written in the paintings! I really liked the plot and characters!
December 31, 2010
I preordered this book because it really sounded interesting. It was a total waste of time. It took me two months to read this book. It has never taken me this long to read any book, especially one with only a lttle more than 300 pages.
The characters were not well developed. The events that took places were hastely described and many of them unbelieveable. This was like reading a high-school studemts short story.
Would I recommend yhis book or even this author. . . NO.
The characters were not well developed. The events that took places were hastely described and many of them unbelieveable. This was like reading a high-school studemts short story.
Would I recommend yhis book or even this author. . . NO.
May 24, 2014
A psychological suspense novel for readers who are considering testing the waters of this genre, but who are not geared for the really dark stuff quite yet. This was pretty tame by my standards, yet it kept my interest well enough to keep me reading due to its fast pace. There are no sharp edges here, it will not mess with your mind, and the threads are neatly gathered up and tied off at the end. If this scenario appeals, then you wouldn't be wrong to try this one.
October 30, 2020
cry, cry, cry little kittens…..
Joseph Whalen had been in prison for thirty years – a sexual predator, it was hoped he would die in prison, but the day had finally arrived – he was a free man, albeit with a lot of conditions attached.
Rebecca Underhill was in her early forties and ran the Albany Art Centre with her friend and partner Robyn. One of their on-site artists was a man named Franny Scaramuzzi who was an autistic savant; his work was amazing, his talent sought after. The thirty year anniversary of Rebecca and identical twin, Molly’s abduction and attack was rapidly approaching, and Rebecca was having dreams of Molly, dreams which were the nightmares she had tried to put behind her for so long. With the death of Molly ten years previously to cancer, Rebecca had kept their secret, but she missed Molly daily.
But when Franny suddenly brought his paintings to Rebecca, one each day, with scenes which only she and Molly knew, Rebecca was terrified. She couldn’t work out how Franny was getting inside her head, how he knew what no-one else knew. Finally deciding to tell Michael, ex-husband on paper but dear and close friend, all about her and Molly’s past, the roller coaster of emotions began, and with Michael by her side she went to the police. Discovering Whalen had been released from prison six months previously, the terror escalated. With her belief that Whalen was stalking her, but no way to prove it, her fear was intense. What would happen to Rebecca? Would her past catch up with her, would she survive a second time?
cry, cry, cry little kitten…..
This book was gripping in its intensity! Fast paced, with an incredible plot, the twists kept me on the edge of my seat. A fantastic psychological thriller, one which I have no hesitation in recommending highly. I will be reading more of Vincent Zandri.
Joseph Whalen had been in prison for thirty years – a sexual predator, it was hoped he would die in prison, but the day had finally arrived – he was a free man, albeit with a lot of conditions attached.
Rebecca Underhill was in her early forties and ran the Albany Art Centre with her friend and partner Robyn. One of their on-site artists was a man named Franny Scaramuzzi who was an autistic savant; his work was amazing, his talent sought after. The thirty year anniversary of Rebecca and identical twin, Molly’s abduction and attack was rapidly approaching, and Rebecca was having dreams of Molly, dreams which were the nightmares she had tried to put behind her for so long. With the death of Molly ten years previously to cancer, Rebecca had kept their secret, but she missed Molly daily.
But when Franny suddenly brought his paintings to Rebecca, one each day, with scenes which only she and Molly knew, Rebecca was terrified. She couldn’t work out how Franny was getting inside her head, how he knew what no-one else knew. Finally deciding to tell Michael, ex-husband on paper but dear and close friend, all about her and Molly’s past, the roller coaster of emotions began, and with Michael by her side she went to the police. Discovering Whalen had been released from prison six months previously, the terror escalated. With her belief that Whalen was stalking her, but no way to prove it, her fear was intense. What would happen to Rebecca? Would her past catch up with her, would she survive a second time?
cry, cry, cry little kitten…..
This book was gripping in its intensity! Fast paced, with an incredible plot, the twists kept me on the edge of my seat. A fantastic psychological thriller, one which I have no hesitation in recommending highly. I will be reading more of Vincent Zandri.
June 17, 2011
A story of suspense, the past is being unearthed and revisited, in a tense knitted tale. There is an autistic artist who is an interesting and a important character in the story, he is trying to assist an unsettled victim by sending messages in an unconventional way. Writing pace is tense and flowing in a page-turning thriller one that you would want to read in one or two sittings.
October 30, 2020
The book starts as a man is released from prison after serving 30 years for the kidnap and attempted rape of a college student. But the man is still obsessed with the twin 10 year old girls he kidnapped 30 years before, girls which he calls his little kittens.....
Now aged 40, Rebecca is still haunted by the events of 30 years before when she and her twin sister ventured into the woods behind the family farmhouse and were attacked by a man living in a house hidden there. They never told anyone about what happened.
But now her twin sister has died of cancer and an autistic savant who is resident artist at the studio where she works is producing a series of paintings which faithfully reproduce the events of the past. But how does he know what happened to her and her sister all those years ago?
This was a fast-paced rollercoaster of a read, so gripping that I couldn't put it down and read it in a day. Definitely worth a read - 9/10.
Now aged 40, Rebecca is still haunted by the events of 30 years before when she and her twin sister ventured into the woods behind the family farmhouse and were attacked by a man living in a house hidden there. They never told anyone about what happened.
But now her twin sister has died of cancer and an autistic savant who is resident artist at the studio where she works is producing a series of paintings which faithfully reproduce the events of the past. But how does he know what happened to her and her sister all those years ago?
This was a fast-paced rollercoaster of a read, so gripping that I couldn't put it down and read it in a day. Definitely worth a read - 9/10.
July 28, 2010
I don’t have an ereader so I had to borrow one from a friend of one of my daughters to read this. I had never held one before, let alone used one before this. I liked it. That’s for another post though. The main focus of the post is to impart my enjoyment of Vincent Zandri’s The Remains. If you follow Mr. Zandri at all you know he is not an overnight sensation as some have painted him with the success of this novel. He has The Remains at the top of the Kindle charts and I am sure it is going to enjoy a nice long stay there.
We, my wife and I, have a set of identical twin girls, so this really grabbed my interest. The question in my mind was Zandri going to be able to crawl into the minds of these girls and be in touch with their “twinness”. I have witnessed this phenomenon many times throughout the lives of my girls and it is a difficult thing to quantify let alone describe. Unless you are a twin how can someone describe that connection, those feelings, the looks they give each other, the silent communication? The Remains delivered on all counts and I was very pleased to have spent the time to have read this. The novel is hard to pigeon hole as to what one may call it, so I am going simply with kick%^&, and leave it at that. Making this bad boy a fright flick would be easy, fun and good.
Do I think the novel is injured by coming out in e-version first before paper? No, not at all. My guess is that the publisher saw what they had and didn’t want to sit on it any longer than they needed to. This novel contains great characters and depth, a brilliant storyline, and a hook that is original and gripping. Don’t wait for paper to read this novel. Go outside yourself if you have to and read it on the computer, your cellphone or borrow an ereader like I did. This is a taunt read that has no comfort zone. This novel currently resides in the Amazon “Hot New Release” Top Ten and has a Hollywood scout shopping it around. Keep your fingers crossed.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, Book Blogs, and also look for our posts on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and the Bucks County Library System. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; we will see you tomorrow. Have a great day.
We, my wife and I, have a set of identical twin girls, so this really grabbed my interest. The question in my mind was Zandri going to be able to crawl into the minds of these girls and be in touch with their “twinness”. I have witnessed this phenomenon many times throughout the lives of my girls and it is a difficult thing to quantify let alone describe. Unless you are a twin how can someone describe that connection, those feelings, the looks they give each other, the silent communication? The Remains delivered on all counts and I was very pleased to have spent the time to have read this. The novel is hard to pigeon hole as to what one may call it, so I am going simply with kick%^&, and leave it at that. Making this bad boy a fright flick would be easy, fun and good.
Do I think the novel is injured by coming out in e-version first before paper? No, not at all. My guess is that the publisher saw what they had and didn’t want to sit on it any longer than they needed to. This novel contains great characters and depth, a brilliant storyline, and a hook that is original and gripping. Don’t wait for paper to read this novel. Go outside yourself if you have to and read it on the computer, your cellphone or borrow an ereader like I did. This is a taunt read that has no comfort zone. This novel currently resides in the Amazon “Hot New Release” Top Ten and has a Hollywood scout shopping it around. Keep your fingers crossed.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, Book Blogs, and also look for our posts on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and the Bucks County Library System. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; we will see you tomorrow. Have a great day.
November 22, 2010
The Remains by Vincent Zandri is one of those books that starts out great and just keeps getting better,this was my first chance to read anything he has written, and I am now his newest fan!
Rebecca Underhill and her twin sister Molly were only twelve years old when they were abducted and held hostage by a man whose house sat in the woods behind their house. After three horrendous hours they were able to escape. They decided to keep it a secret, because they wanted to protect their parents. Shortly after their abduction the attacker was apprehended for the abduction and attempted rape of another woman. Sentenced to thirty years in prison the girls just assumed he would die there.
Fast forward thirty years, Molly died ten years earlier from cancer, and her parents died shortly thereafter, leaving Rebecca to carry the burden of her secret alone. Within a week of the thirtieth anniversary of the abduction Rebecca starts receiving strange text messages, and having dreams, flashbacks really of what happened all those years ago, and when an autistic artist tries to warn Rebecca by sending messages in the only way he knows how, will Rebecca continue to think that it is Molly trying to communicate with her, or will she finally realize that the man whom she thought had died is back!!!
The author's writing skills has the story literally flowing off of the pages, drawing you into the life of the main characters so well that became totally immersed in whats was going on, I could actually feel the bond that Mr. Zandri brings to life between the sisters. I really enjoyed how he didn't give us the account of what actually happened to the sisters until late in the book, allowing the reader to jump to all sorts of conclusions.
If your looking for a superbly written, fast paced psychological thriller,with a storyline that will keep you on the edge of your seat then you should buy this book. A word of warning, it's a book you won't be able to put down,and a story you will continue to think about long after you read the last page!
Even though I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes it in no way alters my opinion of this book!
Rebecca Underhill and her twin sister Molly were only twelve years old when they were abducted and held hostage by a man whose house sat in the woods behind their house. After three horrendous hours they were able to escape. They decided to keep it a secret, because they wanted to protect their parents. Shortly after their abduction the attacker was apprehended for the abduction and attempted rape of another woman. Sentenced to thirty years in prison the girls just assumed he would die there.
Fast forward thirty years, Molly died ten years earlier from cancer, and her parents died shortly thereafter, leaving Rebecca to carry the burden of her secret alone. Within a week of the thirtieth anniversary of the abduction Rebecca starts receiving strange text messages, and having dreams, flashbacks really of what happened all those years ago, and when an autistic artist tries to warn Rebecca by sending messages in the only way he knows how, will Rebecca continue to think that it is Molly trying to communicate with her, or will she finally realize that the man whom she thought had died is back!!!
The author's writing skills has the story literally flowing off of the pages, drawing you into the life of the main characters so well that became totally immersed in whats was going on, I could actually feel the bond that Mr. Zandri brings to life between the sisters. I really enjoyed how he didn't give us the account of what actually happened to the sisters until late in the book, allowing the reader to jump to all sorts of conclusions.
If your looking for a superbly written, fast paced psychological thriller,with a storyline that will keep you on the edge of your seat then you should buy this book. A word of warning, it's a book you won't be able to put down,and a story you will continue to think about long after you read the last page!
Even though I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes it in no way alters my opinion of this book!
March 1, 2017
Another annoying narrator...
Just meh....
The story was ok. A young girl and her twin sister experience and trauma and decide not to tell anyone. Thirty years later, the still living sister is confronted by reminders of the event. Is the monster coming back?
I found the story a bit boring and predictable. There were moments that I liked, but not enough to make the book exciting.
This is the second audiobook that I feel was hurt by the narrator. For some reason, the voice sounded almost computerized. It wasn't, but some of the words were so stilted that I had to check to be sure. She definitely portrayed emotion, but every time she said the word, "cabriolet" (as in the Volkswagen car), it sounded very strange. Maybe I'm just being picky, or (more likely) I have been spoiled after listening to Kate Mulgrew perform two Joe Hill books brilliantly. Oh well, her performances are amazing and so worth it.
Just meh....
The story was ok. A young girl and her twin sister experience and trauma and decide not to tell anyone. Thirty years later, the still living sister is confronted by reminders of the event. Is the monster coming back?
I found the story a bit boring and predictable. There were moments that I liked, but not enough to make the book exciting.
This is the second audiobook that I feel was hurt by the narrator. For some reason, the voice sounded almost computerized. It wasn't, but some of the words were so stilted that I had to check to be sure. She definitely portrayed emotion, but every time she said the word, "cabriolet" (as in the Volkswagen car), it sounded very strange. Maybe I'm just being picky, or (more likely) I have been spoiled after listening to Kate Mulgrew perform two Joe Hill books brilliantly. Oh well, her performances are amazing and so worth it.
June 27, 2015
I just couldn't get into this book. It was so slow. In fact by the time the villain shows up and it's getting to the climax of the story I actually paused the book to take a nap. That should tell you how exciting it was. Plus that ending sucked.
June 29, 2011
So the main character Rebecca was constantly referring back to a traumatic event that happened to her and her twin when she was a child, but she would only share snippets at a time. Rebecca feared the man that had abducted her as a child and she became paranoid of him stalking her since he was recently freed from jail. Though her paranoia did prove true and she is later attacked by this lunatic, I was disappointed with the mystery story of her childhood abduction. The author left you waiting to find out the complete story and once all was revealed at the end it wasn't as traumatic as I expected just really a good scare to two little girls from a psycho man. I don't understand why this man would obsess over Rebecca thirty years later and make her the target of his passion.
I did like the rekindling love between Rebecca and her ex Michael though and was sad to see how short lived it was. (spoiler alert) I do not understand how Rebecca is told at the end that she is pregnant with Michael's son, when the author never eluded to them having sex, just that they slept in the same bed one night.
The story had potential but the delivery could have been better.
I did like the rekindling love between Rebecca and her ex Michael though and was sad to see how short lived it was. (spoiler alert) I do not understand how Rebecca is told at the end that she is pregnant with Michael's son, when the author never eluded to them having sex, just that they slept in the same bed one night.
The story had potential but the delivery could have been better.
September 23, 2012
This is the first book I read by Vincent Zandri. This book started off good but than it got very dry, slow & boring. So honestly I stopped at chapter 4. I am happy it was free because I dont think its worth buying.
October 21, 2012
Seriously bad writing. At times I thought it must have been one of his first writing assignments in college. Boring descriptions, and awful terror scenes left me feeling flat. Can't believe I made it to the end.
September 5, 2010
The Remains by Vincent Zandri
Publisher StoneHouse Ink
ISBN 0982770502
ISBN 13: 9780982770504
At the request of Pump Up Your Book, an EBook edition was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (borrowed from PUYB): Thirty years ago, teenager Rebecca Underhill and her twin sister Molly were abducted by a man who lived in a house in the woods behind their upstate New York farm. They were held inside that house for three horrifying hours, until making their daring escape.
Vowing to keep their terrifying experience a secret in order to protect their mother and father, the girls tried to put the past behind them. And when their attacker was hunted down by police and sent to prison, they believed he was as good as dead.
Now, it’s 30 years later, and with Molly having passed away from cancer, Rebecca, a painter and art teacher, is left alone to bear the burden of a secret that has only gotten heavier and more painful with each passing year.
But when Rebecca begins receiving some strange anonymous text messages, she begins to realize that the monster who attacked her all those years ago is not dead after all. He’s back, and this time, he wants to do more than just haunt her. He wants her dead.
My Thoughts and Opinion: Zandri delivers again!!!! If you follow my blog, you know that I became a fan of Vincent Zandri after reading Moonlight Falls. He has been a frequent visitor here as "Guest Author" for his books and one Sunday was here "Live". I have to be honest, I was a bit skeptical reading The Remains, afraid that it would not be as good as, or better than Moonlight Falls. I was wrong!!! I will be very vague as to the story line so as not to include spoilers. This was the kind of book that I call a "one more chapter" read. Short chapters and so gripping that you have to read "just one more chapter" and then you realize it is 10 chapters later. The chapters alternate between Rebecca's present life and then to her past and back to the present. The characters were life like including the autistic savant artist. Mr. Zandri's writing style is brilliant and because of that, this reader became so engrossed in the plot that I was transported to Albany, where the story takes place, and not aware of what was going on around me. The story pulled me in from the first few pages and didn't let go until the last word. It was a bone chilling read!!! This talented author takes the reader on a heart pounding suspenseful ride as the story follows Rebecca in the present and just when you remember to breathe, he catapults you to her past. The unfolding progress of the plot is written at a crescendo pace, from the first word to the last. This book is a nail biting, white knuckle, spine chilling, page turning thriller. Do I suggest that you read this book? Not only do I say that YOU HAVE to read this book but also recommend this be the next book you read!!! Fantastic!!! Sensational!!! Excellent!!! Vincent Zandri hits this one out of the park!!!!!!
My Rating: 5+
Publisher StoneHouse Ink
ISBN 0982770502
ISBN 13: 9780982770504
At the request of Pump Up Your Book, an EBook edition was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (borrowed from PUYB): Thirty years ago, teenager Rebecca Underhill and her twin sister Molly were abducted by a man who lived in a house in the woods behind their upstate New York farm. They were held inside that house for three horrifying hours, until making their daring escape.
Vowing to keep their terrifying experience a secret in order to protect their mother and father, the girls tried to put the past behind them. And when their attacker was hunted down by police and sent to prison, they believed he was as good as dead.
Now, it’s 30 years later, and with Molly having passed away from cancer, Rebecca, a painter and art teacher, is left alone to bear the burden of a secret that has only gotten heavier and more painful with each passing year.
But when Rebecca begins receiving some strange anonymous text messages, she begins to realize that the monster who attacked her all those years ago is not dead after all. He’s back, and this time, he wants to do more than just haunt her. He wants her dead.
My Thoughts and Opinion: Zandri delivers again!!!! If you follow my blog, you know that I became a fan of Vincent Zandri after reading Moonlight Falls. He has been a frequent visitor here as "Guest Author" for his books and one Sunday was here "Live". I have to be honest, I was a bit skeptical reading The Remains, afraid that it would not be as good as, or better than Moonlight Falls. I was wrong!!! I will be very vague as to the story line so as not to include spoilers. This was the kind of book that I call a "one more chapter" read. Short chapters and so gripping that you have to read "just one more chapter" and then you realize it is 10 chapters later. The chapters alternate between Rebecca's present life and then to her past and back to the present. The characters were life like including the autistic savant artist. Mr. Zandri's writing style is brilliant and because of that, this reader became so engrossed in the plot that I was transported to Albany, where the story takes place, and not aware of what was going on around me. The story pulled me in from the first few pages and didn't let go until the last word. It was a bone chilling read!!! This talented author takes the reader on a heart pounding suspenseful ride as the story follows Rebecca in the present and just when you remember to breathe, he catapults you to her past. The unfolding progress of the plot is written at a crescendo pace, from the first word to the last. This book is a nail biting, white knuckle, spine chilling, page turning thriller. Do I suggest that you read this book? Not only do I say that YOU HAVE to read this book but also recommend this be the next book you read!!! Fantastic!!! Sensational!!! Excellent!!! Vincent Zandri hits this one out of the park!!!!!!
My Rating: 5+
August 10, 2010
I can sum up my thoughts on this book in three very simple words. Masterful. Suspenseful. Amazing.
Before I found this book on Pump Up Your Book Promotions, I had never heard of Vincent Zandri or his other popular books. Can I please say that I am so glad that this has been remedied? From the moment I turned on my Nook and read the first page of The Remains, I was hooked. Completely and utterly committed to finishing this entire book in one sitting no matter what else was going on around me. So, that's exactly what I did!
The Remains is the epitome of the mystery/suspense genre. The story flows beautifully, stringing the reader along with a mixture of past memories and current events combined. I know that in my mind sometimes this can be distracting, but Zandri accomplishes it with such ease. I was never confused, yet always attempting to anticipate what would happen next. Also, Rebecca Underhill is such a well written protagonist that I had an instant connection with her. Her love for her sister Molly, her confusing relationship with her ex-husband, her utter love for art, all of this created a character that I absolutely loved.
When the story started to pick up pace, and Rebecca found herself in danger, I felt myself flinch more than once at the predicaments she was put into. Zandri is an expert at writing scenes that literally buzz with the suspense contained within them. A few times, I will admit, I audibly gasped at what happened on the page in front of me. This in turn caused me to flip as quickly as I could to the next page. What I'm trying to explain here, likely in too many words, is that "page-turner" doesn't even begin to do this book any justice.
Lest I ramble on, I'll simply end with saying that this book is one of my new favorites. I know that I will be buying a bound copy of this book as well so that I can share it around my bibliophile group of friends. If you are a reader of mysteries, a lover of suspense, this is definitely a book for you! Go ahead, give it a read.
Before I found this book on Pump Up Your Book Promotions, I had never heard of Vincent Zandri or his other popular books. Can I please say that I am so glad that this has been remedied? From the moment I turned on my Nook and read the first page of The Remains, I was hooked. Completely and utterly committed to finishing this entire book in one sitting no matter what else was going on around me. So, that's exactly what I did!
The Remains is the epitome of the mystery/suspense genre. The story flows beautifully, stringing the reader along with a mixture of past memories and current events combined. I know that in my mind sometimes this can be distracting, but Zandri accomplishes it with such ease. I was never confused, yet always attempting to anticipate what would happen next. Also, Rebecca Underhill is such a well written protagonist that I had an instant connection with her. Her love for her sister Molly, her confusing relationship with her ex-husband, her utter love for art, all of this created a character that I absolutely loved.
When the story started to pick up pace, and Rebecca found herself in danger, I felt myself flinch more than once at the predicaments she was put into. Zandri is an expert at writing scenes that literally buzz with the suspense contained within them. A few times, I will admit, I audibly gasped at what happened on the page in front of me. This in turn caused me to flip as quickly as I could to the next page. What I'm trying to explain here, likely in too many words, is that "page-turner" doesn't even begin to do this book any justice.
Lest I ramble on, I'll simply end with saying that this book is one of my new favorites. I know that I will be buying a bound copy of this book as well so that I can share it around my bibliophile group of friends. If you are a reader of mysteries, a lover of suspense, this is definitely a book for you! Go ahead, give it a read.
June 1, 2012
Vincent Zandri's "The Remains" is a thriller of the first water. As noted in the title, I finished it in a single night; I simply could not stop reading!
Zandri's protagonist is Rebecca Underhill, an art instructor. As a young teenager, she and her late sister, Molly, were abducted by one Joseph William Whalen ... who is released from prison at the beginning of the book. Contemporary with that event, Rebecca starts getting mysterious text messages that either say just her name or "Remember."
On top of it all, one of her students, an autistic savant called Franny who is a gifted and famous artist, has begun giving her paintings that have words embedded in them. And yes, all of these things are related.
Zandri creates interesting characters who are multi-dimensional. No one is perfectly good or bad, and many people have secrets that they guard closely. The tale is fast-paced and gripping, as well as entirely plausible. This is definitely a character-driven story, and one of the finest I've read in a good while.
Highly recommended for fans of thrillers or literary fiction.
(Review based on uncorrected advance proof.)
Zandri's protagonist is Rebecca Underhill, an art instructor. As a young teenager, she and her late sister, Molly, were abducted by one Joseph William Whalen ... who is released from prison at the beginning of the book. Contemporary with that event, Rebecca starts getting mysterious text messages that either say just her name or "Remember."
On top of it all, one of her students, an autistic savant called Franny who is a gifted and famous artist, has begun giving her paintings that have words embedded in them. And yes, all of these things are related.
Zandri creates interesting characters who are multi-dimensional. No one is perfectly good or bad, and many people have secrets that they guard closely. The tale is fast-paced and gripping, as well as entirely plausible. This is definitely a character-driven story, and one of the finest I've read in a good while.
Highly recommended for fans of thrillers or literary fiction.
(Review based on uncorrected advance proof.)
September 24, 2010
I really enjoyed this book. It was definitely a story that I did not want to put down. Not knowing the story of what happened to Molly and Rebecca until almost the end of the book kept me wondering what had really happened to them. And of course I imagined the worst, as the author wanted me to. I still wanted to hear about it and wasn't disappointed even though it was not what I expected. I was really drawn into this story and the characters. I cried with them and screamed with them. The only downside was the editing of the book. I had to look and make sure whether it was self-published or had a publishing company (it was a publishing company). I cannot believe that a publishing company could allow so many mistakes in a book. I am pretty sure they should have been able to figure out whether the name of the villain was Whelan or Whalen and keep it the same throughout the book. Maybe they need a few new editors or proofreaders. But don't let that deter you from reading this book. It was a great read.
May 24, 2011
I don't throw around the word "Hitchcockian" a lot, because I think it's overused and cliche. But if any book I've read deserves it, it's this one. The atmosphere Zandri creates from the get-go is pitch perfect. The characters are believable and the mystery is gripping to say the least.
What struck me the most was the originality of the plot. An autistic savant starts painting pictures of a crime committed 30 years. It turns out his art teacher was the victim. What's going on here? I'm not revealing anything. You need to read this book.
Zandri has said his works are based on real people, even so much that the real names are used until the final round of editing. It makes me wonder what his creepy evil twin looks like. I wonder if his name is...Harry Balls? (see his "Down Low Dead" collaboration for that little inside joke)
What struck me the most was the originality of the plot. An autistic savant starts painting pictures of a crime committed 30 years. It turns out his art teacher was the victim. What's going on here? I'm not revealing anything. You need to read this book.
Zandri has said his works are based on real people, even so much that the real names are used until the final round of editing. It makes me wonder what his creepy evil twin looks like. I wonder if his name is...Harry Balls? (see his "Down Low Dead" collaboration for that little inside joke)
July 11, 2010
Story of twin sisters abducted thirty years ago by a man who lived on a neighboring farm and held for three terrifying hours. They vowed to keep this secret from their parents. The attacker was sent to prison (for another crime) and their story has remained a secret between them ever since. Molly has passed away from cancer and Rebecca begins to receive strange text messages. All these years, they thought the attacker had died in prison. Now, Rebecca finds out he is not only alive, but has been released and is once again after her!
Engaging! I was hooked from the beginning. (Read in one evening and the next afternoon) My first book by Vincent Zandri and look forward to others!
Engaging! I was hooked from the beginning. (Read in one evening and the next afternoon) My first book by Vincent Zandri and look forward to others!
September 14, 2010
Teenagers Rebecca and Molly Underhill are abducted by a man in the woods near their home. After several hours of torture, the girls manage to escape. They never speak of it to anyone except each other.
Thirty years later and the memories return, along with anonymous texts and haunting paintings. Is that monster back or is Rebecca losing her mind?
This is an excellent fast paced thriller. I could not put it down.
I continued to think about the characters and the story even after I had finished the book.
This Kindle edition was also a great value. Don't let the reasonable price fool you. This is an excellent, suspensful, superbly written thriller.
Thirty years later and the memories return, along with anonymous texts and haunting paintings. Is that monster back or is Rebecca losing her mind?
This is an excellent fast paced thriller. I could not put it down.
I continued to think about the characters and the story even after I had finished the book.
This Kindle edition was also a great value. Don't let the reasonable price fool you. This is an excellent, suspensful, superbly written thriller.
August 3, 2010
The Remains was my first Kindle book for I prefer regular books, and I must say I am glad I decided to read it.
I was hooked to the story from the very beginning, the letter Rebecca Rose Underhill writes to her sister Molly was the hook which with its mystery captivated my attention till the very end of the book.
Instead of telling the story, I will highly recommend it to all who like mystery and absorbing read.
The Remains by Vincent Zandri, it is a must!!!
I absolutely love the book.
I was hooked to the story from the very beginning, the letter Rebecca Rose Underhill writes to her sister Molly was the hook which with its mystery captivated my attention till the very end of the book.
Instead of telling the story, I will highly recommend it to all who like mystery and absorbing read.
The Remains by Vincent Zandri, it is a must!!!
I absolutely love the book.
February 21, 2016
Only a fair mystery book
Twin girls are attacked at the age of 12 but never tell anyone. 30 years later the perpetrator is released from jail having been imprisoned in another attack and comes after the remaining twin.
Twin girls are attacked at the age of 12 but never tell anyone. 30 years later the perpetrator is released from jail having been imprisoned in another attack and comes after the remaining twin.
December 15, 2010
There are very few books today that I can honestly open up and read in one sitting. The Remains is one of those books. This book will draw you in from the first page, grab ahold of you and won't let go until the last word.
The plot is a fantastic one, with a 30 year old crime coming back to haunt central character Rebecca in the form of nightmares, flashbacks and text messages. The build up is done expertly and with author Vincent Zandri's subtle hand, making for some suspenseful reading and a few unexpected twists. The Remains is also a horror story, slightly akin to Stephen King as Mr. Zandri expertly weaves together psychological terror but Mr. Zandri also has a restrained and even crafty touch. His terror doesn't show itself freely in the mirror or window but rather whispers ominously in your ear.
I was fulfilled by Mr. Zandri's writing style, which was direct and to the point, without being brutal, and descriptive enough without being considered flowery prose. Story points were intertwined without being farfetched and I liked the relatively liberal use of flashbacks throughout the story, enlightening the reader bit by bit on what Rebecca was facing. As she remembered or learned what she was up against, so did we.
Rebecca herself was a brilliant heroine, a smart and savvy professional who is over forty, who is not stunningly beautiful and yet doesn't know it and she doesn't put herself in harm's way out of ignorance or flat out stupidity. In other words, she's a woman that is easy to relate to and effortless to support. I felt her uneasiness in the book and felt that uneasiness turn into fear. I was sad with her, afraid with her and relieved with her.
Even the cover of the book ties together nicely, being stunning and appropriately creepy.
The only downsides to The Remains (and there were only two brief ones) were that Rebecca's friend Robyn seemed to have an interesting potential sideline story that was either not fully developed or somewhat dropped - - which may have been just my viewpoint and opinion - - and the handful of misspellings and typos that I noticed in the book. I am a stickler for accuracy and misspellings and typos drive me absolutely crazy. Fortunately, The Remains is such a solid, well-told story that I was able to overlook the mistakes and enjoy the thrilling ride.
This was the first book I have read by author Vincent Zandri but based on this book, it won't be the last. He is most certainly an author to watch.
The plot is a fantastic one, with a 30 year old crime coming back to haunt central character Rebecca in the form of nightmares, flashbacks and text messages. The build up is done expertly and with author Vincent Zandri's subtle hand, making for some suspenseful reading and a few unexpected twists. The Remains is also a horror story, slightly akin to Stephen King as Mr. Zandri expertly weaves together psychological terror but Mr. Zandri also has a restrained and even crafty touch. His terror doesn't show itself freely in the mirror or window but rather whispers ominously in your ear.
I was fulfilled by Mr. Zandri's writing style, which was direct and to the point, without being brutal, and descriptive enough without being considered flowery prose. Story points were intertwined without being farfetched and I liked the relatively liberal use of flashbacks throughout the story, enlightening the reader bit by bit on what Rebecca was facing. As she remembered or learned what she was up against, so did we.
Rebecca herself was a brilliant heroine, a smart and savvy professional who is over forty, who is not stunningly beautiful and yet doesn't know it and she doesn't put herself in harm's way out of ignorance or flat out stupidity. In other words, she's a woman that is easy to relate to and effortless to support. I felt her uneasiness in the book and felt that uneasiness turn into fear. I was sad with her, afraid with her and relieved with her.
Even the cover of the book ties together nicely, being stunning and appropriately creepy.
The only downsides to The Remains (and there were only two brief ones) were that Rebecca's friend Robyn seemed to have an interesting potential sideline story that was either not fully developed or somewhat dropped - - which may have been just my viewpoint and opinion - - and the handful of misspellings and typos that I noticed in the book. I am a stickler for accuracy and misspellings and typos drive me absolutely crazy. Fortunately, The Remains is such a solid, well-told story that I was able to overlook the mistakes and enjoy the thrilling ride.
This was the first book I have read by author Vincent Zandri but based on this book, it won't be the last. He is most certainly an author to watch.
December 16, 2010
After decades in prison a creepy man, Joseph William Whelan, is coming out of prison. You don't know what he did, but in reading the opening of The Remains by Vincent Zandri you know it was something bad. Need to wash your hands bad. He's a creepy man who speaks in rhyme. He has plans for revenge. His revenge is part of the mystery surrounding the book. What he's done and to whom are slowly revealed. The slow reveals leave you wanting for more.
Rebecca Underhill is a "semi-divorced" artist living in Albany. Her ex-husband Michael, a struggling writer, is still in the picture. She is forever haunted by the death of her identical twin sister Molly, who died from cancer more than eight years ago. Thirty years ago something happened to Molly and Rebecca, something sinister at the hands of Whelan. They wandered into the woods behind their home, despite the being told not to by their father. He knows danger lurks in the woods, but kids being kids they don't listen. They come upon a creepy, dilapidated house. I kept waiting for the big reveal, but Zandri just teases you throughout the novel. Little nuggets are dropped in each chapter.
Whatever happened it was terrible enough to scare Molly and Rebecca into submission. They never told anyone, it's a secret between sisters, fearing Whelan could come back for them.
The fear effects everything Rebecca does, including her work life. She becomes convinced an artistic artist named Franny is sending her messages through his paintings. Are they warnings from Franny? Is Franny trying to frighten Rebecca? Is Franny Whelan's messenger? Or are they messeages from Molly from beyond the grave? Cryptic notes and cellphone texts do nothing to ease Rebecca's fear. What would Molly do? Molly was always the strong one, she would know what to do.
"I find myself just staring at my sister who is me in every way, but so different at the same time."
Zandri's writing style draws you in. He creates a fine balance between Rebecca's past and future. What really happened isn't revealed until the end, and you will be left guessing what happened throughout. Towards the end I found myself speed reading the end because of the mounting suspense. It's definitely a book to read with the lights on!
Rating: Superb
Notes: I received a copy of the book from Pump up Your Book (http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/) as part of a blog tour. For more information on author Vincent Zandri visit: http://www.vincentzandri.com/
Rebecca Underhill is a "semi-divorced" artist living in Albany. Her ex-husband Michael, a struggling writer, is still in the picture. She is forever haunted by the death of her identical twin sister Molly, who died from cancer more than eight years ago. Thirty years ago something happened to Molly and Rebecca, something sinister at the hands of Whelan. They wandered into the woods behind their home, despite the being told not to by their father. He knows danger lurks in the woods, but kids being kids they don't listen. They come upon a creepy, dilapidated house. I kept waiting for the big reveal, but Zandri just teases you throughout the novel. Little nuggets are dropped in each chapter.
Whatever happened it was terrible enough to scare Molly and Rebecca into submission. They never told anyone, it's a secret between sisters, fearing Whelan could come back for them.
The fear effects everything Rebecca does, including her work life. She becomes convinced an artistic artist named Franny is sending her messages through his paintings. Are they warnings from Franny? Is Franny trying to frighten Rebecca? Is Franny Whelan's messenger? Or are they messeages from Molly from beyond the grave? Cryptic notes and cellphone texts do nothing to ease Rebecca's fear. What would Molly do? Molly was always the strong one, she would know what to do.
"I find myself just staring at my sister who is me in every way, but so different at the same time."
Zandri's writing style draws you in. He creates a fine balance between Rebecca's past and future. What really happened isn't revealed until the end, and you will be left guessing what happened throughout. Towards the end I found myself speed reading the end because of the mounting suspense. It's definitely a book to read with the lights on!
Rating: Superb
Notes: I received a copy of the book from Pump up Your Book (http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/) as part of a blog tour. For more information on author Vincent Zandri visit: http://www.vincentzandri.com/
June 8, 2011
*If you'd like to win the book in a 'Comment Giveaway Contest,' all you have to do is visit http://fuisti.blogspot.com/2011/06/re... by June 15th!*
When Rebecca Underhill was thirteen and her twin sister Molly was still alive, they ventured into a forest their parents warned them against and explored a creepy, old house they thought could become their 'home away from home.' Turns out it was already claimed...and not by a particularly sane man either. Thirty years later, Rebecca is a painter and art instructor living a pretty lonely life with her ex-husband. No one knows about the terrible things that happened those three hours. She still wrestles with the memories, though - even moreso this year.
There's the mystery text messages and phone calls, for one. But nothing alarms her more than Franny's specialized paintings just for her.
Franny's art is top-of-the notch beautiful and phenomenal. It's expected, what with his title of gifted, autistic art savant. His coming to Rebecca's art center is more a matter of comfort than anything else, since he certainly doesn't need artistic assistance. For the first time, Franny paints a picture specifically for Rebecca, and it's more than a gift. There's a word in there - Listen - that only she and Franny can see. Not her ex-husband. Not her best friend. Just Rebecca and Franny.
As the days go on, there's more paintings, more mystery texts and phone calls, more questionable moments where Rebecca feels as though she's being watched and followed.
Maybe what happened all those years ago isn't as over as she thought.
I remember my first impression of the prologue and the first chapter. I felt a sense of confusion, dread, and excitement for what was ahead. Vincent Zandri's writing is eloquent, easy-flowing, confident and mature. His sentences are as carefully chosen as his words, and I love how realistic his characters are. The story's foundation is steadied by pacing and build-up - the type that makes you ask questions from the get-go.
I wanted to know exactly how a man getting out of jail, a letter to a long gone sister, and a woman who runs an art center connected. Zandri did me the favor of quickly making that clear, yet maintaining mystery in various parts throughout. A lot of the story is step-by-step build up, so don't expect constant action. However, be prepared for a fun, scary ride when it all comes together.
When Rebecca Underhill was thirteen and her twin sister Molly was still alive, they ventured into a forest their parents warned them against and explored a creepy, old house they thought could become their 'home away from home.' Turns out it was already claimed...and not by a particularly sane man either. Thirty years later, Rebecca is a painter and art instructor living a pretty lonely life with her ex-husband. No one knows about the terrible things that happened those three hours. She still wrestles with the memories, though - even moreso this year.
There's the mystery text messages and phone calls, for one. But nothing alarms her more than Franny's specialized paintings just for her.
Franny's art is top-of-the notch beautiful and phenomenal. It's expected, what with his title of gifted, autistic art savant. His coming to Rebecca's art center is more a matter of comfort than anything else, since he certainly doesn't need artistic assistance. For the first time, Franny paints a picture specifically for Rebecca, and it's more than a gift. There's a word in there - Listen - that only she and Franny can see. Not her ex-husband. Not her best friend. Just Rebecca and Franny.
As the days go on, there's more paintings, more mystery texts and phone calls, more questionable moments where Rebecca feels as though she's being watched and followed.
Maybe what happened all those years ago isn't as over as she thought.
I remember my first impression of the prologue and the first chapter. I felt a sense of confusion, dread, and excitement for what was ahead. Vincent Zandri's writing is eloquent, easy-flowing, confident and mature. His sentences are as carefully chosen as his words, and I love how realistic his characters are. The story's foundation is steadied by pacing and build-up - the type that makes you ask questions from the get-go.
I wanted to know exactly how a man getting out of jail, a letter to a long gone sister, and a woman who runs an art center connected. Zandri did me the favor of quickly making that clear, yet maintaining mystery in various parts throughout. A lot of the story is step-by-step build up, so don't expect constant action. However, be prepared for a fun, scary ride when it all comes together.
April 1, 2018
It is sad sometimes to stumble on a book that makes you sorry you started reading it. I flipped through the last chapters skimming, knowing what I would find and then thinking, why does anyone want to be entertained by the torture of others? Is there anything more tiring than the victimization of women for their gender? Does a man need to have a super power like foresight (or a detective's hunch) or be autistic to save the modern woman or himself? Mere mortal males cannot do it these days. There are other stories of bravery and courage through horrible trials. There are women who survive men's poor treatment and are made stronger in the process. There are men who do more than wait for you to visit them before they die. This is not one of the stories and the protagonist was not one of those women. And the man she loved was just another casualty of her torture. None of the characters here was illuminated by what she or he experienced. They were just subjected to the same torture as this reader. I was reminded of a line of poetry memorized in grade school: "Nothing beside remains." Percy Bysshe Shelley, Ozymandias.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2013
This one is an absolute stinker - worst thing I've read in a long time. If you thought Dan Brown was a bad writer, this'll leave you thinking he's Voltaire.
I tried to care about the characters or the story, I really did. But in the end I just couldn't be that nasty to my own brain.
Sorry, it's just bad. Badly written, badly plotted, badly proof-read (the "lovely widow" instead of "lonely" was a high point, but there's several others to choose from) Did I mention badly written?
I tried to care about the characters or the story, I really did. But in the end I just couldn't be that nasty to my own brain.
Sorry, it's just bad. Badly written, badly plotted, badly proof-read (the "lovely widow" instead of "lonely" was a high point, but there's several others to choose from) Did I mention badly written?
March 29, 2016
I didn't care about any character in this book so I couldn't make myself finish it. The use of an "all-knowing" Autistic man was a cheap tactic. Abused and assaulted women is an overused character trope and story propeller. I didn't think the writer wrote women characters very well, either. Pretty slow, underwhelming and unfinished.
February 12, 2019
I was very intrigued from the get go. I found it kept me wanting more and I needed to know what had happened to the twin sisters all those years ago. As you get through the chapters, it teases you more and more each time, applying more suspense each time. Very much enjoyed this book.
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