The Stranger You Seek by Amanda Kyle Williams

This is the first work I have read by this author. More than likely I will try her again. My complaint with it was that it was a bit too graphic for me.

I did like the heroine, Keye Street, a former FBI profiler who has been enlisted by the Atlanta Police Department to help in solving a series of murders that have all the earmarks of a serial killer.

As Keye becomes more embroiled with the murders, she begins to realize that the killer is closer than she thought and she must be ever vigilant for the next strike.

A well written foray into the mind and actions of a serial killer. If you are into thrillers that keep you guessing until the end--this one's for you!

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I’ll Walk Alone by Mary Higgins Clark

I have read EVERY book this author has written. Some have been great and others just lukewarm. This is one falls in between.

Zan, short for Alexandra Moreland is a successful interior decorator. She discovers that someone is getting into her credit card accounts and bank accounts and doing a considerable amount of damage in the process.

Zan is also the mother of Matthew who was abducted from his stroller while being babysat in a park. She is tormented by his memory and believes he is still alive although she has no evidence to the contrary.

Though not exactly thriller quality, it is an okay read. If you’re happy with a light foray into identity theft and kidnapping, you’ll not want to miss this one. I did not figure out who the culprit was until late in the book.

Ladybookbug!

Night Road by Kristin Hannah

A prolific author-- her works include True Colors, Summer Island and my personal favorite, On Mystic Lake. I often keep a writing pad handy while reading her novels because there is sure to be a sentence or two that I’d like to remember.

This is the story of friendship and love. Three teenagers become friends. Mia and Zack are twins whose overprotective mother has harbored them in safety from the time they were born. She becomes anxious at the start of this novel as the twins are entering high school. Lexi moves into town and becomes best friends with Mia (who is a bit reclusive). The friendship endures all the trials and tribulations of the teenage years. Eventually Lexi and Zach become an item. The three teens become immersed in each others lives.

A tragedy occurs on a dark road after a night of partying and promises. Lexi rises up to the consequences of her actions and proves to be of strong character. We clearly see how powerful the bonds of love can be and that forgiveness gives us the ability to move forward

Kristin Hannah fans will not want to miss this one.

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The Worst Thing by Aaron Elkins

Imagine you are a young boy. Imagine you are kidnapped. Imagine you are held in a dark, dank place with a metal cuff around your neck. Imagine you are released and left to a life filled with panic attacks and a fear of enclosed places. Imagine the worst thing that could happen to you. This is the story of Bryan Bennett in this new novel by Aaron Elkins.

Bryan chooses perhaps the most appropriate career choice, given his past experiences.
He becomes a trainer in hostage negotiations. He is careful not to get close to either the kidnappers or the victims, fearful that he will have a meltdown. He also cannot travel much to the disappointment of his wife.

As fate would have it, his company offers him an opportunity to present a program in Iceland. The Icelantic company specifically asks for Bryan and after much pursuasion by his boss and his wife, he agrees to go.

What happens next is sure to unravel Bryan and as a reader, we begin to experience his terror.

This is a well thought out novel and one you'll not want to miss.

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The Accident by Linwood Barclay

There are mystery writers and then there are consumate mystery writers. Linwood Barclay falls into the second category and his latest tale is no exception.

The accident begins with a car accident. One car is perched on an egress ramp. Inside is a women who has expired. Apparently she was also drunk. Another car hit her head on and three people are dead as a result.

This is just the beginning of a series of unexplained circumstances. There is subterfuge, murder, blackmail, and lust in this story. At one point you might find yourself wondering just who the culprit is.

I really liked this story. It had me going around in circles a couple of times. I was as confused as the main character and did not connect all the dots until the very end.

If you love thrillers, you'll love this.

Ladybookbug!

Darkness My Old Friend by Lisa Unger

Jones Cooper retired from the police force. He lives in The Hallows, a place riddled with mystery and darkness. Eloise is a psychic who comes to see him about a vision. He is skeptical but can't totally dismiss her either.

Meanwhile, 15 year-old Willow, a newcomer to The Hallows is disgruntled because her mother moved her from the city to this sparsley populated rural area. She is having difficulty making friends and feels quite isolated. One day she is walking through the woods and finds a man digging something. She is frightened and runs away quickly, dropping her cell phone.

In addition, Michael Holt has returned to town after the death of his father. He is in search of clues that might explain why his mother disappeared when he was a teenager.

All of these separate stories work together to form a good mystery. Readers of Ungers other books might recognize the town as it was the setting in Fragile as well.

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Back of Beyond by C.J. Box

Cody Hoyt is a renigade police officer. Struggling with alcohol, he accidentally shoots the coroner. He's put on probation but that doesn't stop him from trying to solve a crime.

He hires an outfitter and together they embark on a trip through Yellowstone National Park to locate a horseback trip. Suddenly, they come across several victims and the hunt intensifies.

This is a well thought out thriller. Box keeps you guessing until the very end. It's a stand alone and I did miss Joe Pickett but it's definitely worth reading.

Ladybookbug!