Koncocoo

Best Legal Thrillers

My Sister's Grave (The Tracy Crosswhite Series Book 1)
Tracy Crosswhite has spent twenty years questioning the facts surrounding her sister Sarah’s disappearance and the murder trial that followed. “Dugoni does a superior job of positioning [the plot elements] for maximum impact, especially in a climactic scene set in an abandoned mine during a blizzard—which is melodramatic but nevertheless effective.” — Publishers Weekly. “ My Sister’s Grave is a chilling portrait shaded in neo-noir, as if someone had taken a knife to a Norman Rockwell painting by casting small town America as the place where bad guys blend into the landscape, establishing Dugoni as a force to be reckoned with outside the courtroom as well as in.” — Providence Journal. Robert Dugoni is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of the Tracy Crosswhite Series : My Sister's Grave, Her Final Breath (September 2015) and In the Woods (May 2016).
Reviews
"Also, the author needs to work on names and naming conventions. As I said, I'm not sorry I read the book and would recommend it to someone who was looking for a easy crime read."
"* Superior intelligence or strength (she shoots, she runs, she out wits the killer). * Invokes trust or likability (I would want her as my friend or CSI). The story begins with the discovery of the remains of Tracy’s murdered sister."
"This is the second of Robert Dugoni's book's that I've read from the Tracy Crosswhite series (I read the 3rd book first, don't ask me why!)."
"Told between present day events as well as flashbacks, this story reads exactly like a thriller movie with the courtroom scenes reading like a Law and Order episode. Dugoni did not create an overly complicated crime that made it hard to keep track of all the moving parts but he told a compelling story that kept me hooked until the very end."
"The connection between the two sisters is strong and the reader feels the family dynamics throughout the book."
"I have already purchased the second book and can't wait to read what Tracy Crosswhite's newest adventures are."
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An Innocent Client (Joe Dillard Series Book 1)
His drug-addicted sister has just been released from prison and his mother is succumbing to Alzheimer's, but Dillard's commitment to the case never wavers despite the personal troubles and professional demands that threaten to destroy him. "Pratt's richly developed characters are vivid and believable, especially the strong Southern women who fight their male-dominated culture from behind a facade of vulnerability in this brilliantly executed debut."
Reviews
"Other writers will use long descriptions of what the landscaping is like as someone enters a driveway to a house, or a long paragraph describing what a woman is wearing and the scent of her perfume and the necklace she is wearing. And that is exactly what Scott Pratt avoids and makes his books such a delight to read. Each of his books in this series has a great plot that makes them a such page turner."
"He is totally fed up with the system of laws and courts, of police and prosecutors, of judges and juries and defenders wherein the truth never rises to the surface and justice is rarely found."
"While I am reading, I am inserted into the world he creates."
"This is an interesting start to a crime series."
"I thoroughly enjoyed this book..."
"The story involves a small town attorney, his family, his ambivalence to his career and a changing plot line of legal cases."
"She's innocent, ...or not."
"The story moves at a quick clip and the plot has enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested."
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A Criminal Defense (Philadelphia Legal)
The defendant, David Hanson, was Mick’s close friend in law school, and the victim, a TV news reporter, had reached out to Mick for legal help only hours before her death. “[In] Myers’s impressive debut…the gripping plot builds to an ending that’s a complete shocker.” — Publishers Weekly , Starred Review. When a young reporter is found dead and a prominentPhiladelphia businessman is accused of her murder Mick McFarland finds himselfinvolved in the case of his life. The defendant, David Hanson, was Micks' closefriend in law school, and the victim, a TV news reporter had reached out toMick for legal help only hours before her death.
Reviews
"I'm retired after 35 years of practicing criminal law as a public defender and having lived it, I really hate the melodrama of legal thrillers. First, I've never been employed in a private law practice, but I'm aware of the pressures that cause some lawyers to bend the ethical rules, so I can say that what transpires here is within the realm of possibility. Second, having been first chair in a number of capital murder trials, I can tell you that from a legal procedure standpoint, Mr. Myers is virtually spot on."
"The book moves at a brisk pace, with new developments in each chapter."
"If you love procedural legal dramas and mysteries you will love “A Criminal Defense’ by William L. Myers Jnr…. This is filled with clever courtroom angst, conflict and drama. A young female journo is found dead and a prominent businessman is the accused… and our male Lead – Mick McFarland, defence attorney extraordinaire is in for the case of his life!"
"This book cost 1.99 and it was equally as good as books I paid 14.99. A well written book."
"And this author's knowledge of the criminal justice system makes the story sizzle. He makes sure you know there is more going on in this murder trial than meets the eye. And that is high praise from a reader with a low tolerance for mediocre writing."
"When David Hanson, a rich, well-thought of business man, is arrested and charged with the murder of a young female journalist, he hires his old friend Mick as his defense attorney."
"Once I started reading I didn't want to put the book down."
"This gripping legal procedural is well mixed with family, firm and friend problems."
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Best Crime Thrillers

Blood on the Tracks (Sydney Rose Parnell Series Book 1)
A young woman is found brutally murdered, and the main suspect is the victim’s fiancé, a hideously scarred Iraq War vet known as the Burned Man. Do yourself a favor and give this bright talent a read.” —John Hart, multiple Edgar Award winner and New York Times bestselling author of Redemption Road. Barbara Nickless has written a twisting, tortured novel that speaks with brutal honesty of the lingering traumas of war, including and especially those wounds we cannot see. I fell hard for Parnell and her four-legged partner and can't wait to read more.” —Vicki Pettersson, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Swerve. Barbara Nickless has fashioned a beautifully drawn hero in take-charge, take-no-prisoners Sydney Parnell, former Marine and now a railway cop battling a deadly gang as she investigates their purported connection to a recent murder. Skilled in evoking emotion from the reader, Nickless is a master of the craft, a writer to keep your eyes on.” —Chris Goff, author of Dark Waters. “Barbara Nickless’s Blood on the Tracks is raw and authentic, plunging readers into the fascinating world of tough railroad cop Special Agent Sydney Rose Parnell and her Malinois sidekick, Clyde. Haunted by her military service in Iraq, Sydney Rose is brought in by the Denver Major Crimes unit to help solve a particularly brutal murder, leading her into a snake pit of hate and betrayal. Full of the suspense that holds you on the edge of your seat, it’s also replete with acts of bravery, moments of hope, and a host of feelings that keep the story’s intensity level high. An active member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, she has given workshops and speeches at numerous writing conferences and book events.
Reviews
"Here's a quick rundown, without spoilers: THE HEROINE -- At first, it appeared this was going to be another female character who somehow seems to do everything right despite all the angst she has to lug around. Her scene descriptions are vivid, and the attention to the thoughts of her main character Sydney is wonderful. ADDITIONAL WRITING THOUGHT -- The author uses transcripts of the main character's notes, interviews, journals, etc. I don't subtract stars if an author chooses to include language or sex, just letting potential readers know both exist in this book. For me, I enjoy when an author drops clues throughout the book that add up to a strong justification when the murderer is finally revealed, and I personally thought this could have been handled a little better. HOWEVER...even with the "twists" issue, the story is excellent and I found myself really liking the character of Sydney Parnell."
"Since I enjoy reading police procedural novels, I didn’t need to go past the summary description that this one included a K-9 partner to immediately select it as my Kindle First choice. While this is an especially interesting police procedural story since Sydney Rose Parnell and Clyde are part of a railroad police force, it goes much deeper."
"I was hooked from the first chapter - drawn in by the main character, Sydney, who hides her complex and compassionate nature beneath a stoic exterior."
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Best Welsh eBooks

Cysgodion y gorffennol (Welsh Edition)
Roedd pobl yn rhuthro yma ac acw - fel sy'n wir bob amser, hyd yn oed yn y corneli mwyaf anghysbell.
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Best Women Sleuths

My Sister's Grave (The Tracy Crosswhite Series Book 1)
Tracy Crosswhite has spent twenty years questioning the facts surrounding her sister Sarah’s disappearance and the murder trial that followed. “Dugoni does a superior job of positioning [the plot elements] for maximum impact, especially in a climactic scene set in an abandoned mine during a blizzard—which is melodramatic but nevertheless effective.” — Publishers Weekly. “ My Sister’s Grave is a chilling portrait shaded in neo-noir, as if someone had taken a knife to a Norman Rockwell painting by casting small town America as the place where bad guys blend into the landscape, establishing Dugoni as a force to be reckoned with outside the courtroom as well as in.” — Providence Journal. Robert Dugoni is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of the Tracy Crosswhite Series : My Sister's Grave, Her Final Breath (September 2015) and In the Woods (May 2016).
Reviews
"Also, the author needs to work on names and naming conventions. As I said, I'm not sorry I read the book and would recommend it to someone who was looking for a easy crime read."
"* Superior intelligence or strength (she shoots, she runs, she out wits the killer). * Invokes trust or likability (I would want her as my friend or CSI). The story begins with the discovery of the remains of Tracy’s murdered sister."
"This is the second of Robert Dugoni's book's that I've read from the Tracy Crosswhite series (I read the 3rd book first, don't ask me why!)."
"Told between present day events as well as flashbacks, this story reads exactly like a thriller movie with the courtroom scenes reading like a Law and Order episode. Dugoni did not create an overly complicated crime that made it hard to keep track of all the moving parts but he told a compelling story that kept me hooked until the very end."
"The connection between the two sisters is strong and the reader feels the family dynamics throughout the book."
"I have already purchased the second book and can't wait to read what Tracy Crosswhite's newest adventures are."
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Best Police Procedurals

Two Kinds of Truth (A Harry Bosch Novel)
A South Florida Sun-Sentinel Best Mystery of 2017. An Amazon Book of the Month Harry Bosch is back as a volunteer working cold cases for the San Fernando Police Department and is called out to a local drug store where a young pharmacist has been murdered. Meanwhile, an old case from Bosch's LAPD days comes back to haunt him when a long-imprisoned killer claims Harry framed him, and seems to have new evidence to prove it. "[Connelly's] immaculate plotting and gift for bringing procedural intricacies to life now seem as strong as ever...he writes the best detective novels around. "Harry Bosch is a one-of-a-kind hero who started out pretty wild when he returned from Vietnam to become a cop, but over the years he's developed into someone you want to ride with. "Connelly's immaculate plotting and gift for bringing procedural intricacies to life now seem as strong as ever...he writes the best detective novels around. "[Two Kinds of Truth] is a reflection of Connelly's talent that after 19 books chronicling Bosch's career, this iteration feels fresh and authentic. "Expertly juggling both plots, Connelly mines the double murder for fascinating and frightening details...Connelly remains atop a heap of contemporary crime writers thanks to his rare ability to combine master plotting and procedural detail with a literary novelist's feel for the inner lives of his or her characters.
Reviews
"Two Kinds of Truth is an outstanding addition to the fabulous Harry Bosch series. This mystery series is one of my very favorites; Connelly has managed to create an authentic, likeable main character in Harry Bosch and has successfully provided him with a career path that lends itself to interesting cases and story lines. In Two Kinds of Truth, Harry starts out revisiting a cold case for the San Fernando Police Department. The other part of Two Kinds of Truth that I loved was the resolution of the cold case Harry was pursuing. And the other, malleable truth of politicians, charlatans, corrupt lawyers, and their clients, bent and molded to serve whatever purpose is at hand.” As the mother of three children, I have had to spend an inordinate amount of time this past year making sure my kids understand how important the truth is and how important it is to refuse to accept those that attempt to corrupt truth."
"Two subplots share our attention in the book: (A) a double murder of a local father-son pharmacist team and (B) an attempt to get a 30-year old death sentence overturned based of alleged malfeasance by then-lead detective Bosch. Connelly crafts an intricate subplot that exposes his familiarity with police and courtroom procedures, and his understanding of the interpersonal relationships shared by investigators who cooperate, or compete, to solve complex crimes."
"I think the suggestion that a lender could impose a right to approve sale in a residential loan, particularly with the purpose of getting the home through foreclosure since the lender had prevented any sale, is pretty silly."
"I could not put it down- in this story some of his past partners show up and I like when his goes back in his history (after 20 Bosch books -plots and characters begin to merge or worse forgotten) Haller (Bosch’s half brother) is in the story and his daughter-the plot is fast paced and the resolution is smart and clever."
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Best Family & Health Law

The Zoo Crew - A Thriller (Zoo Crew series Book 1)
Fresh off a summer spent interning in legal hell, he is only mildly certain he even wants to continue down the path he’s on. Armed only with his own trepidations and the loyalty of those around him, Drake must find a way to save his friend and his own growing skepticism before it’s too late. Dustin Stevens is the author of the novels Number Four, Ink, Twelve, Just a Game, and 21 Hours.
Reviews
"The man doing the killing is there to teach a lesson to the rest of the women who are present. Drake was a star player for his college football team in Missoula. Ajax is the only African American in all of Missoula and his trust fund insures that he will never have to work. Kade is also a hometown hero as he played football with Drake in college. Sage is an RN and she works the night shift so she's available for when she, Kade, Ajax and Drake get. together which is a couple of times a week. They raft, swim, fish, ski and hike all over the mountains of Montana. This one has Drake, Ajax, Kade, Sage, a girl named Ava, a girl named Ella, an old school friend of Drakes named Beth, a very pregnant Beth who has a real problem, the Mayor of Missoula, her sister, the Sheriff, a local doctor, a woman from social services, a scheme that's been making money for all of them for the last two years, a sociopath named Notch, another group of pregnant women, a Drake who gets involved because Beth is a woman who helped him out while he was in high school, Kade, Ajax and Sage who are also there to assist, a woman named Ava who's also a law student, an Ava who is kidnaped, a man called Rink, and Drake Bell and the Zoo crew doing what it takes to protect the ladies, take down a killer and stay alive."
"I read in lots of books that a cast is put on a broken bone as soon a person gets to hospital. Dr. Will just wrap it and wait to make sure there is no swelling before putting cast on."
"A terrific book!"
"A group of 4 people in a College Town in Montana that stumble across an improbable surrogate mother for pay scheme that imprisons young women until birth."
"The development of the central characters is superb."
"Based on two books that i have read by this author, he seems to have a thing about the children market."
"Very good and interesting story."
"I really, really liked this book."
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Best Medical Thrillers

The Atlantis Plague: A Thriller (The Origin Mystery, Book 2)
The Atlantis Plague is the second book in The Origin Mystery , the trilogy that has become a global phenomenon. In Marbella, Spain, Dr. Kate Warner awakens to a horrifying reality: the human race stands on the brink of extinction. Nearly a billion people are dead--and those that the Atlantis Plague does not kill, it transforms at the genetic level. Industrialized nations offer a miracle drug, Orchid, which they mass produce and distribute to refugee camps around the world. The Immari envision a world populated by the genetically superior survivors--a new human race, ready to fulfill its destiny. With control of the world population hanging in the balance, the Orchid Alliance and the Immari descend into open warfare. This global adventure takes readers back into the world of The Origin Mystery, which began with THE ATLANTIS GENE. A.G. Riddle spent ten years starting internet companies before retiring to pursue his true passion: writing fiction. His debut novel, The Atlantis Gene , is the first book in The Origin Mystery , the trilogy that has sold over two million copies in the US, has been translated into 18 languages, and is in development to be a major motion picture. His recently released fourth novel, Departure , follows the survivors of a flight that takes off in the present and crash-lands in a changed world.
Reviews
"This book definitely had me hitting the "buy next book" immediately."
"The Atlantis Plague is a captivating science fiction novel, which-at times-is truly frightening!"
"This is a military type drama where there is one good guy who has to upset the whole bad regime (think 24 the TV series). The final element of the plot is human evolution and history, which again is very intricately interwoven into the bio-military aspects and well researched. It almost feels like the story line may have had a well sculpted start and end (hopefully) and that this second book is for clarification and set-up for the final showdown."
"David and Kate find themselves in danger as we, the readers, find ourselves wanting answers to all the questions we have asked."
"I fell in love with the characters and the premis in the first book, and I would highly recommend the Atlantis Plague to continue the story."
"If you're buying this book, be sure you have read The Atlantis Gene first; it fills in some blanks that may leave you wondering."
"This would translate well to a movie series, or mini-series, something like Battlestar Galactica meet Star Wars. We like the overall message of the Atlantis Series & commend the author, who must have a wonderful, complex brain."
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Best Pulp Thrillers

Dead Lawyer on Aisle 11 (Michael Gresham Series Book 7)
SOMEONE IS KILLING OFF LAWYERS IN THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. Michael Gresham is assigned to prosecuting the case against the at-large killer. When Michael's team has tried everything else to find the killer, they turn to twelve-year old Annie Gresham to create a criminal profile. Annie, the savant daughter of Michael Gresham, gathers together all the known evidence and begins mining the data. Annie creates a shocking profile of the killer, leaving the FBI agents skeptical of Michael Gresham. From there he traveled east, to Washington, DC, to help the children of a law school classmate claim the legacy left them by their murdered father. This book, Dead Lawyer on Aisle 11 , is about that service in the USAO and his difficulties and successes in finding and prosecuting the person responsible for the death of two lawyers in the USAO. During that time I tried first degree murder cases, a whole slew of other criminal cases of almost every conceivable crime, and I defended tax crimes as well.
Reviews
"He's usually a hard hitting defender, but this time, his own freedom is at stake when he's framed for a murder he didn't commit."
"It read more like a soap opera than a legal thriller at every turn Michael seemed to have another child as a result of a brief affair."
"It’s john Ellsworth."
"Good read , will read more of his books."
"Interesting story keeps you interested."
"It was different Keeps you guessing till the very end."
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Best Crime Thrillers

I Am Watching You
Anna’s best friend, Sarah, hasn’t been telling the whole truth about what really happened that night—and her parents have been keeping secrets of their own. Someone knows where Anna is—and they’re not telling. Covering crime for so long, she watched and was deeply moved by all the ripples each case caused, and the haunting impact on the families, friends and witnesses involved.
Reviews
"However, when the author moved to subsequent chapters (everything else in third person), the phrases and partial sentences continued. The other stylistic device used over and over was the introduction of a secret at the end of almost every chapter. When the guilty person is finally revealed, it was difficult to believe that the police would have neglected to perform a full investigation (the author tells us at the end that police only did a “cursory” investigation on the person). I hesitate to say more as it would potentially become a spoiler, but for me, this became a fatal flaw and made the ending feel forced."
"This story follows the perspectives of Ella, Sarah, Anna's father, and a private investigator in the year following Anna's disappearance. Although not to this extreme, I think most people can relate to being in a position where you question whether or not to say something or stay quiet and mind your own business."
"The ending actually made me cry real, true tears."
"It was at times maddening when Ms Driscoll left you hanging at the end of a chapter, with hints and references but no explanations."
"The story included gratuitous detail about flowers, and observations about human behavior and society that became drudgery for the reader."
"Not being psychic, couldn't solve it without all of the relevant saved for the ending....."
"I enjoyed reading this book."
"Suspenseful with interesting characters this book keeps you intrigued."
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Best Financial Thrillers

The Dead Key
Twenty years before, amid strange staff disappearances and allegations of fraud, panicked investors sold Cleveland’s largest bank in the middle of the night, locking out customers and employees, and thwarting a looming federal investigation. Iris, a young engineer working her first job out of the office, finds herself assigned to map out a floor plan for the bank building which has been empty for two decades. Just as Beatrice did 20 years before her, Iris quickly recognizes that there’s something not quite right at the bank and she soon learns that the building is not as empty as everyone thinks.
Reviews
"The story concept is interesting: an important bank mysteriously closes overnight. When I was about 1/3 into the story it seemed that n.o.t.h.i.n.g. Reading the early reviews, I was sure I was reading a different book. For example, in most instances, we don't read about the secretary's workday, we read about her thinking about her workday or thinking about the personalities of the people she works with, or wondering where her friend is, or wondering about the significance of papers she sees. For example, the engineer meets her boss at the building and explains to him some of the work she has done, but (from the reader perspective) this is merely retelling what the engineer already mused about in the previous pages: she went to the eighth floor, to the room on the left; it was dusty; she made some measurements; she went to the next room; she saw papers on the floor; she wondered why the papers were left behind; she made some measurements; she looked at some of the papers; she wondered what the papers meant; she decided to take some of the papers with her to look at later; she went to the next room; she made some measurements. I second that thought."
"The author thinks that if they have so many "problems" in life that the audience will resonate with at least one of them but a character with problems is only likable if they get over them, makes for a more interesting story and one that you can better connect with emotionally since then it gives you hope. Iris also practically refuses to interact with the story she's been pulled into, the mysteries behind the decaying First Bank of Cleveland which closed one day with no warning (which really did close in 1978 due to defaults, although the real life explanation is different than this fictional one, fewer bodies for one). Beatrice didn't intend to get wrapped up in the mystery as it was coming closer and closer to it's doomed day either but once she starts investigating a only tangentially related thread her caution and determination to see this through to the end make her half of the story by far the more interesting one."
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Best Historical Thrillers

11/22/63: A Novel
He receives an essay from one of the students—a gruesome, harrowing first person story about the night 50 years ago when Harry Dunning’s father came home and killed his mother, his sister, and his brother with a hammer. So begins Jake’s new life as George Amberson and his new world of Elvis and JFK, of big American cars and sock hops, of a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald and a beautiful high school librarian named Sadie Dunhill, who becomes the love of Jake’s life – a life that transgresses all the normal rules of time. * People (Australia) * King's first effort at melding fact with fiction is as successful as his previous books, and perhaps even more intriguing considering the subject matter: time travel and the implications of change. * Sun * Time travel and an incredible talent for storytelling combine to produce a unique tour de force. * Canberra City News * The story moves seamlessly from detailed reality to elaborate fantasy and back again through a meticulously researched backdrop of late 1950s events, fashion and sentimentality. King's mastery of plot and his ability to create characters and situations both homespun and far-fetched means that this is the book you dream of getting stuck on the train home with. The key to any novel set in an alternate reality is credible world building, the steady accumulation of detail - preferably lightly distributed - that brings the story alive. * Adam LeBor,FT Weekend * King swiftly moves beyond vintage Americana to unfold a stunningly panoramic portrait of the era. King commands an inordinately fat space on the bookshelf with 11.22.63 but it's hard to begrudge when his vast imagination is working across such an epic canvas. * Seven, The Sunday Telegraph * One of the strengths of the book is King's at once nostalgic and honest view of the end of the Eisenhower era. King manages to avoid both sentimentalizing the past and treating it with massive condescension; his role as the poet of American brand-names serves him well here. * Mark Lawson, Guardian * You have to take a leap of faith with time-travel novels, but if there's one writer who can pull it off, it's Stephen King. * Eureka Street * A delightful blend of history and fantasy by a man who has always had a soft spot for an America where men wore fedoras, drove big Fords and could do the foxtrot. * Armidale Express Extra * King weaves the social, political and popular culture of his baby-boom American generation into a devastating exercise in escalating suspense. * Who Weekly * These early sections of the novel are almost irresistible entertaining, enlivened not just by King's supreme control of the form but by his sardonic wit and usual generosity of spirit and expansiveness. Beneath the reassuring glow of King's portrait of an earlier, simpler time moves a darker and less comfortable vision, a glimpse of the terrifying machinery that moves below the surface of human history, and which stands as a stark, chilling rejoinder to the fantasies of escape embodied in so many time travel stories. * The Weekend Australia * Perhaps only seasoned storyteller Stephen King could accomplish changing the course of history in his vast time-travelling masterpiece whilst effortlessly weaving political and social details with abundant humour. * The Australian Women's Weekly * Stephen King at his epic, pedal-to-metal best * Alison Flood Sunday Times, Culture,i> * Delivers a lot of praise and enjoy. * London Review of Books * The details of Fifties America, the cars, the clothes, the food, the televisions with wonky horizontal hold, are so vivid that you begin to wonder whether the author himself hasn't had access to a time machine....But as you worry at the paradoxes and the brilliantly explained pseudo science there is no denying that this monster yearn is blindingly impressive. * Independent Books of the Year * Stephen King at his epic, pedal-to-metal best * Alison Flood, Sunday Times * The pages of 11.22.63 fly by, filled with immediacy, pathos and suspense. -- Daily Telegraph 'Stephen King at his epic, pedal-to-metal best' -- Alison Flood Sunday Times, Culture,i> 'not just an accomplished time-travel yarn but an action-heavy meditation on chance, choice and fate.'. -- Independent Books of the Year 'The details of Fifties America, the cars, the clothes, the food, the televisions with wonky horizontal hold, are so vivid that you begin to wonder whether the author himself hasn't had access to a time machine. -- Independent 'Perhaps only seasoned storyteller Stephen King could accomplish changing the course of history in his vast time-travelling masterpiece whilst effortlessly weaving political and social details with abundant humour. -- The Australian Women's Weekly 'These early sections of the novel are almost irresistible entertaining, enlivened not just by King's supreme control of the form but by his sardonic wit and usual generosity of spirit and expansiveness. Beneath the reassuring glow of King's portrait of an earlier, simpler time moves a darker and less comfortable vision, a glimpse of the terrifying machinery that moves below the surface of human history, and which stands as a stark, chilling rejoinder to the fantasies of escape embodied in so many time travel stories.'. -- Mildura Midweek 20111122 'King weaves the social, political and popular culture of his baby-boom American generation into a devastating exercise in escalating suspense.'. -- Armidale Express Extra 20111123 'A delightful blend of history and fantasy by a man who has always had a soft spot for an America where men wore fedoras, drove big Fords and could do the foxtrot. -- Mark Lawson, Guardian 20111119 'a powerful love story' -- Mirror 20111119 'One of the strengths of the book is King's at once nostalgic and honest view of the end of the Eisenhower era. King manages to avoid both sentimentalizing the past and treating it with massive condescension; his role as the poet of American brand-names serves him well here.'. King commands an inordinately fat space on the bookshelf with 11.22.63 but it's hard to begrudge when his vast imagination is working across such an epic canvas.'. The key to any novel set in an alternate reality is credible world building, the steady accumulation of detail - preferably lightly distributed - that brings the story alive. -- Adam LeBor,FT Weekend 20111119 '...This is the American of Stephen King's childhood and it's one that he re-creates in vivid and loving detail... -- Peter Robinson in the Sunday Express 20111118 'He writes incomparably good stories ... King's mastery of plot and his ability to create characters and situations both homespun and far-fetched means that this is the book you dream of getting stuck on the train home with.'. -- Independent on Sunday 20111118 'The story moves seamlessly from detailed reality to elaborate fantasy and back again through a meticulously researched backdrop of late 1950s events, fashion and sentimentality. -- New Idea (Australia 20111118 'Time travel and an incredible talent for storytelling combine to produce a unique tour de force.'. -- Irish Times 20111118 'King has form in rendering plausible the fantastic ... 11.22.63 stakes another claim for its author to be classified as sui generis.'.
Reviews
"Yes, it is built around a well-used SF trope, time travel, but really, the portal to the past that Jake Epping is shown in the back of an aluminum diner is only the launch mechanism for this fantastic journey. Even SK's other "straight" fiction, "Misery", "Dolores Claiborne" and "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon" come to mind, had elements of the supernatural and/or flat-out horror. I have read every novel and anthology that King has published, plus a large number of single short stories, starting with "Carrie" in a borrowed paperback back in the late 1970s. The lead-up to the day of the assassination is described in great detail, along with Oswald's relationship to his family and associates, all matters of historical record (at least according to the sources cited by SK, with which most of the readers who did not like the novel disagreed emphatically). The world of 1958-1963 is described in wonderful detail, through the eyes of Jake as he gradually sheds his early 21st century armored shell and falls in love with a small Texas town and Sadie, its new young librarian. I'm old enough to have experienced lots of the stuff that Jake encounters in 1958 (albeit as a child) and it jives with and jogs my recollections and induces a feeling of longing for older, simpler times."
"I had, at the time, pretty much given up on King -- the movies based on his books tend to be much better than the books -- except, of course, when they are not."
"I don't normally review books. But the book."
"Many people complain about the length of his books, but the best of them manage to build a great cast of characters or interesting world to make the reading worthwhile."
"A thought-provoking book with well developed events and characters."
"But I decided as a true King fan I had to toss my 2 cents in. I am a Die Hard type of guy, but this book has a similiar time travel/love angle theme to it, as does the movie Somewhere in Time (Collector's Edition) (also a book written by the great Richard Matheson)."
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Best Military Thrillers

CyberStorm
In the chaos, conspiracy theories rage about a foreign cyberattack--that this might be the first shockwave of a colossal global shift in power--but even this becomes unimportant as Mike and his family struggle for survival in the wintry tomb of a doomed New York. Translated in twenty three countries, CyberStorm is a worldwide bestseller, a new apocalyptic disaster classic in the spirit of On the Beach , Alas Babylon , One Second After , Lucifer's Hammer and Pandemic that will appeal to fans of Clancy, Thor, Riddle, and Hugh Howey. - Wes Davies, author of The Runner " A riveting account of the (potentially) devastating impact ofcyber attacks on ordinary citizens." I'd like to thank my editor, Gabe Robinson (previously at Harper Collins in NYC but now freelancing) for his incredible help in getting CyberStorm assembled and edited. I'd also like to thank my small army of dozens of beta readers who combed through the early manuscripts--this is as much my novel as all of theirs, and a testament to the power of the internet in shaping new media.
Reviews
"The author does a great job of getting you into the minds of the characters, and paints a picture of a possible cyber meltdown I found realistic and quite frightening if it were to occur."
"Dependence on the cyber world and a host of attacks combined with a horrible winter storm bring a modern, urban city to its knees and brings life and our human priorities into a focus that should serve as a reality check for us all."
"I enjoy good writing, and Mr. Mather is a well-accomplished wordsmith, using a rich background of good science and great common sense!"
"Enjoyed the book."
"The writing style was engaging and I completely fell head over heels for the premise and story development."
"I loved this book! Matthew, you've done an amazing job with this book."
"I enjoyed this book and as an "added attraction" it hit close to home as i work on 7th avenue between 25th and 26th street in Manhattan, basically in the same neighborhood as the story."
"He obviously let his emotions get in the way from time to , he did however come up with some genius ideas, like hiding the food and creating a scavenger hunt like thing to find it later for survival."
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Best Espionage Thrillers

The Short Drop (The Gibson Vaughn Series Book 1)
A decade ago, fourteen-year-old Suzanne Lombard, the daughter of Benjamin Lombard—then a senator, now a powerful vice president running for the presidency—disappeared in the most sensational missing-person case in the nation’s history. “This live-wire debut begins with a promising lead in the long-ago disappearance of the vice president’s daughter, then doubles down with tangled conspiracies, duplicitous politicians, and a disgraced hacker hankering for redemption...Hang on and enjoy the ride.” — People. “Unbridled power and relentless revenge converge in the exciting, tightly plotted The Short Drop ...The multifaceted Gibson has the makings to support a long series.” —SouthFlorida.com.
Reviews
"That said, I did enjoy the second half of the book which did keep moving from beginning to end, holding my interest without my having to push myself to read it like I did for the first half of the book. So, when the central plot line in The Short Drop turned out to be the fact that a current Presidential candidate's 13 year old daughter had been kidnapped, I merely wrote that off as a coincidence."
"I’ve found that thrillers, particularly those with a political bent, can be a little light on character development and a little heavy on the unbelievable-and-over-the-top plots. The characters are well developed, complex and multi-faceted, flawed and susceptible to injury (both emotional and physical)."
"As an old retired IT guy it made sense to me where it needed to and was not written for the 17 year old."
"This book caught my attention from the sample on Kindle and held it through half a week while I told myself I had time of other already purchased books to read."
"His characters are beautifully developed and appropriately psychologically complex, so much so that the reader doesn't know who the "bad guy" is and might even fall in love with him or her in the meantime. 4.5 stars. Note: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Thomas & Mercer, for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review."
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Best Terrorism Thrillers

Enemy of the State (A Mitch Rapp Novel Book 14)
In the #1 New York Times bestselling series’ latest thriller, Mitch Rapp finds himself alone and targeted by a country that is supposed to be one of America’s closest allies. Forced to make a decision that will change his life forever, Rapp quits the CIA and assembles a group of independent contractors to help him complete the mission. Facing an international incident that could end his political career, the President orders America’s intelligence agencies to join the Saudis’ effort to hunt the former CIA man down. The Mitch Rapp story begins with American Assassin , followed by Kill Shot , Transfer of Power , The Third Option , Separation of Power , Executive Power , Memorial Day , Consent to Kill , Act of Treason , Protect and Defend , Extreme Measures , Pursuit of Honor , The Last Man , The Survivor, Order to Kill, and Enemy of the State. He initially found inspiration from his father, the former director of Interpol, and still draws on his contacts in the intelligence community to give his books such realism.
Reviews
"If you have read anything written by the late Vince Flynn and/or anything written by Kyle Mills then you have already learned this one has got to be an excellent reading adventure."
"Kyle Mills is doing a great job of carrying the torch for Vince Flynn."
"The question is not "is it Vince?"
"I am looking forward to the next Mitch Rapp story."
"I think It's obvious Vince Flynn was still heavily invested in the series, and I believe he would be very pleased with how Mills has continued it."
"Vince Flynn was a master storyteller at intrigue and espionage but added heart to every story."
"And even more egregious is how Mills changed Kenndy from a tough assertive woman to just a women. Cannot believe ANYONE that loved and respected Flynn would give this awful book a good review. Addendum: If anyone saw the horrible trailer for the movie of Mitch Rapp you will see the destruction of Flynn's glorious characters is complete."
"Flynn is gone RIP so is the Mitch Rapp we so enjoyed."
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Best Technothrillers

Origin: A Novel
The #1 New York Times Bestseller from the author of The Da Vinci Code Bilbao, Spain Robert Langdon, Harvard professor of symbology and religious iconology, arrives at the ultramodern Guggenheim Museum Bilbao to attend a major announcement—the unveiling of a discovery that “will change the face of science forever.” The evening’s host is Edmond Kirsch, a forty-year-old billionaire and futurist whose dazzling high-tech inventions and audacious predictions have made him a renowned global figure. Navigating the dark corridors of hidden history and extreme religion, Langdon and Vidal must evade a tormented enemy whose all-knowing power seems to emanate from Spain’s Royal Palace itself . On a trail marked by modern art and enigmatic symbols, Langdon and Vidal uncover clues that ultimately bring them face-to-face with Kirsch’s shocking discovery . -- People Magazine "A brisk new book that pits creationism against science, and is liable to stir up as much controversy as The Da Vinci Code did. In Origin , the brash futurist Edmond Kirsch comes up with a theory so bold, so daring that, as he modestly thinks to himself in Brown’s beloved italics, “ It will not shake your foundations. And just like he was in his original exploits ( Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code ), Dr. Langdon is once again wrapped up in a global-scale event that could have massive ramifications on the world’s religions. Origin is a familiar blend of travelogue, history, conspiracies and whodunit, with asides on everything from the poetry of William Blake to the rise and fall of fascism in Spain." Dan Brown is the author of numerous #1 international bestsellers, including The Da Vinci Code, Inferno , The Lost Symbol , Angels & Demons , Deception Point, and Digital Fortress .
Reviews
"I love Dan Brown's novels, his writing style, and his extensive use of history/tech in most of them, and I always learn something when I read his books. Brown has a plug and play format that he follows, and as I read this book, it's basically Robert Langdon at some educational/art venue where a friend/colleague, etc. There was supposed suspense, in that you want to find out what in the world Langdon's friend had to say before his murder--and of course, you have to wait until the end to find out."
"Although Brown’s writing will not rank well among the great classics, his books turned into film will pack theaters and encourage history buffs to travel Europe. KEY POINTS Using history, science and religion for a thriller is one of the better ways to incite curiosity among readers. Excerpt. ‘…“If you’ve read my books,” Langdon’s voice continued, “you will have heard me use the term ‘God of the Gaps.’ That is to say, when the ancients experienced gaps in their understanding of the world around them, they filled those gaps with God.”. The sky filled now with a massive collage of paintings and statues depicting dozens of ancient deities. “And yet, over the centuries, scientific knowledge increased.” A collage of mathematical and technical symbols flooded the sky overhead. “As the gaps in our understanding of the natural world gradually disappeared, our pantheon of gods began to shrink.”. On the ceiling, the image of Poseidon came to the forefront. “As you know, the same fate befell all the gods—dying off, one by one, as they outlived their relevance to our evolving intellects.”. Overhead, the images of gods began twinkling out, one by one—gods of thunder, earthquakes, plagues, and on and on. These gods did not ‘go gentle into that good night’; it is a messy process for a culture to abandon its deities. Spiritual beliefs are etched deeply on our psyches at a young age by those we love and trust most—our parents, our teachers, our religious leaders. Therefore, any religious shifts occur over generations, and not without great angst, and often bloodshed.”. The sound of clattering swords and shouting now accompanied the gradual disappearance of the gods, whose images winked out one by one. Finally, the image of a single god remained—an iconic wizened face with a flowing white beard. Zeus, more than any other god, resisted his own extinction, mounting a violent battle against the dying of his own light, precisely as had the earlier gods Zeus had replaced.”. On the ceiling flashed images of Stonehenge, the Sumerian cuneiform tablets, and the Great Pyramids of Egypt."
"After the first few chapters the book hits a road block - it stops being a DaVinci code knock off and becomes something else. I also realized that the small passage of time directly related to the lengthy descriptions of art, books, etc. The early chapters describe the museum at Bilbo and I went online while I was reading to see pictures."
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Best Conspiracy Thrillers

The Atlantis Gene: A Thriller (The Origin Mystery, Book 1)
The Atlantis Gene is the first book in The Origin Mystery , the global bestselling trilogy that is now in development to be a major motion picture. From the Hardcover Edition Off the coast of Antarctica, a research vessel discovers a mysterious structure buried deep inside an iceberg. THE ATLANTIS GENE is a thought-provoking technothriller about global genetic experiments, ancient conspiracies, and the mysteries of human evolution. This fast-paced adventure is the first book in The Origin Mystery Series (now in development at CBS Films to be a major motion picture). A thriller certainly, but one that combines so many factual historical references that the reader is left wondering where facts end and fiction begins.
Reviews
"It's a Science Fiction thriller that combines elements of the lost city of Atlantis, human evolution, Nazis, conspiracy, alien technology, and end of the world scenarios. The very basic premise (without spoiling anything) is that the human race was on the brink of extinction at one point in the past and somehow, for some unexplained reason, humans made a giant leap forward in the evolutionary ladder that allowed them to not only survive, but to take control of planet Earth. Shortly thereafter, agent David Vale shows up on the scene and he and Kate are sucked into a worldwide race against time to save not only themselves and the children, but quite possibly the whole world. As a matter of fact, I was a bit disappointed at how similar certain aspects of the plot were to Jeremy Robinson's "Second World" and James Rollins' "Black Order". After spending much of the first half of the book at a jog, Riddle flips the switch towards the end and the pacing becomes very quick, and the action and story become intense."
"Anyone who enjoys SiFi will love this book."
"Science Fiction can be difficult to read, for me, but Mr."
"The reason for not giving a 5 rating is that there are some occasional instances where editing failed to catch the misuse of a word or a grammatical slip. Book 3: The Atlantis World ties the subplots and main plot together, and finally gives us the across-the-universe (and perhaps beyond) scope of the the power/greed motivations which have influenced the good, the bad and the conflicted throughout the series. A.G. Riddle displays the altruistic nature imbued in some of his characters by sharing fact/fiction noes from the trilogy, and tips for writers on his website."
"Although the beginning started out as an action-adventure novel with a bit of science extrapolation thrown in, by the end it was a free-wheeling, time-shifting hard-science fiction (sort of) thriller."
"By the time I had read half of the novel, there were so many unfinished ideas that I was exhausted."
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Best Assassination Thrillers

Enemy of the State (A Mitch Rapp Novel Book 14)
In the #1 New York Times bestselling series’ latest thriller, Mitch Rapp finds himself alone and targeted by a country that is supposed to be one of America’s closest allies. Forced to make a decision that will change his life forever, Rapp quits the CIA and assembles a group of independent contractors to help him complete the mission. Facing an international incident that could end his political career, the President orders America’s intelligence agencies to join the Saudis’ effort to hunt the former CIA man down. The Mitch Rapp story begins with American Assassin , followed by Kill Shot , Transfer of Power , The Third Option , Separation of Power , Executive Power , Memorial Day , Consent to Kill , Act of Treason , Protect and Defend , Extreme Measures , Pursuit of Honor , The Last Man , The Survivor, Order to Kill, and Enemy of the State. He initially found inspiration from his father, the former director of Interpol, and still draws on his contacts in the intelligence community to give his books such realism.
Reviews
"Claudia in my opinion does not read like the person who would fit into the scheme of a operator like Rapp seems to be."
"Another entertaining addition."
"Another great book in the series."
"Typical Rapp story."
"If you enjoyed the other books read this one and enjoy."
"I've rad all of Vince Flynn's books and the new author stays true to Flynn's characters and style!"
"I️ love the fact that Kyle incorporated all the old villains of past books and had them working for Rapp."
"Kyle's books are better on this one I'm my opinion because in the others Mitch was less real."
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