This is my second book by the author. The first being “The Quiet People” it was a fantastic read and this latest novel is just as good. Readers are forced to follow Paul's lead and relish the journey as he constantly pushes the envelope.
James Cohen, sheriff of Acacia Pines, faces numerous challenges: his father with dementia moving in after a fatal retirement home fire, his wife leaving, his son bullying others, and overwhelming financial responsibilities. In order to claim the reward money, the sheriff manipulates the manhunt for the kidnapper of teenager Lucas Connor. His desperation compels him to engage in acts that are both illegal and immoral, with no chance of redemption. As you might guess, things do not go as planned. Several complications arise, as do the number of victims.
People who enjoy intense psychological thrillers should definitely read this book, and I have no reservations about recommending it. My advice to readers is to read slowly and carefully, as the author excels at misdirection. Everywhere there are clues and every piece of information matters, but the tension is so high that readers will be driven to read quickly for the next twist.
Many thanks to Paul Cleave, Random Things Tours & Orenda Books for the opportunity to read this exceptionally intense story.
About the Author
Paul is an award-winning author who often divides his time between his home city of
Christchurch, New Zealand, where most of his novels are set, and Europe. He’s won the
New Zealand Ngaio Marsh Award three times, the Saint-Maur book festival’s crime novel
of the year award in France, and has been shortlisted for the Edgar and the Barry in the
US and the Ned Kelly in Australia. His books have been translated into more than twenty
languages. He’s thrown his Frisbee in more than forty countries, plays tennis badly, golf
even worse, and has two cats–which are often two too many.
The critically acclaimed The Quiet People was published in 2021 and was followed in 2022 by The Pain Tourist – a number-one bestseller in three countries.
Comments