Zack Walker is a writer/journalist getting involved with a private detective in observing high-end clothing thefts. However he becomes entangled in a web of other crimes and events which bring his family in and which he eventually helps to resolve. The characters are well-defined and drive the book and Zack comes over as slightly less annoying than he did in the first book in the series. It's quite entertaining, engaging and worth a look if you want a light thriller.

No Time for Goodbye, Book #1

This very suspenseful story revolves around the unexplained overnight disappearance of a teenage girl’s family. It open 25 years later with Cynthia Biggs, the long abandoned daughter still looking to solve the mystery in her life.

The book’s raison d’être is to disclose the mystery behind the disappearance and eventually solving the case. Mr. Barclay makes time for meticulous plotting, chapters are overflowing with details and no clue is left behind explanations. The narrator is Cynthia’s husband, Terry, who tries his best to cope with Cynthia’s tension went she is pushed over the edge after appearing on a TV show. She keeps on seeing things such as a recurring automobile, a stranger that looks like her brother, her father’s hat suddenly placed on the kitchen table. 

It may be a cliché to say that this novel is hard to put down, so true for me. This story has a great premise and a cast of people trapped in a terrifying situation. “No Time for Goodbye” has a large cast of characters, both past and present who plays parts in Cynthia’s life. I will spare you the details. Revealing too much will spoil both the journey of Terry has endured as well as the story’s conclusion.

This is one of those stories that kept me hooked from the beginning till the end. The development of the characters is so well-done I really felt for them. I love the way the plot sawed back and forth: Terry wracked with doubt questioning his wife sanity then rallying to her side. The language is relevant and reflects what the characters are not afraid to say. Some would say this novel has an adult theme for that reason.

This contemporary novel is fast paced and has the right amount of tension to deliver a neat and unexpected twist that makes this novel all worthwhile.

No Time for Goodbye #2

This novel is a darkly and definitely a creepy thriller that brings rebellious 14 year old Grace Archer agreeing to joyride with her bad boy friend Stuart who happens to be the son of a man who works for underworld figure Vince Fleming. This evening prank turns out into something very dangerous bringing her whole family embroiled in Vince world….

Mr. Barclay’s fast-paced plot revolves around a competing gang of ruthless criminals who seem hell-bent on recovering a mysterious object that was in Fleming’s possession and will stop at nothing to get it. It is evident from the get-go serious crimes are at work, it opens with an elderly couple being killed during a home invasion. The plot continues and plays out with directness and ease from then on and never let go. Each character is slowly introduced with motives but Vince is by far the more complex who vastly outplays the other characters. 

This straightforward crime thriller is told from the perspective of Terry, Grace’s father. He is very chatty individual only interrupted by occasion burst of action. We also find some tough-guy dialogue manifesting itself from time to time to give a better effect. Yes the plot is tense and a little far-fetched. Some chapters end in a cliff hanger just so we have to carry on. It is indeed a page-turner. 

Some say read “No Time for Goodbyes” first, others say not necessary. I wasn’t lost not having read book 1 but this story piqued my curiosity to get it thought…

Good story

My wife abandoned this as too annoying and I can see why. The narrator is a self-confessed idiot (not the term he uses) and the first part of the book emphasises this fact. The book picks up in the second half where most of the real action takes place regarding murder, blackmail, extortion etc.. in a suburban context.

Reasonably engaging, the book works in the end but readers should be cautious about taking on this series and not expect too much.

Promise Falls #4  

By:  Linwood Barclay 

ISBN: 1409163938 

Publisher: Random House

Publication Date: 10/31/2017 

Format: Kindle 

My Rating: 5 Stars

Linwood Barclay returns with his riveting series, Promise Falls following The Twenty Three #3 (2016) with his best yet, in the twisty PARTING SHOT (#4) — a fitting title for his latest riveting thriller. 

Packed with a serious savage punch, and more twists than the Pacific Hwy., we revisit the small fictional town of Promise Falls in upstate New York, outside of Albany. 

A small town filled with scandal and secrets and an overwhelming need for revenge and some evil vigilante justice! 

However, often we find the revenge is directed at the wrong person which causes some major problems for everyone involved. (sorry, killed the wrong person-collateral damage). 

Read My Reviews: 
Broken Promise #1 
Final Assignment #1.5 
Far From True #2
The Twenty-Three #3 

PARTING SHOT almost slipped by me. Thank goodness, the minute I received the newsletter from the author, I was on Amazon clicking away to purchase this one. 

Having read every book in this engrossing series, PARTING SHOT was my favorite. I stayed up until 5 am two mornings in a row to finish. It was worth every minute.

Again, keep your scorecard handy and hang on for a roller coaster wild ride!

This time around, we revisit with characters PI Cal Weaver and Detective Barry Duckworth (two of my favorites) from Promise Falls. Even though the two guys are familiar with one another, neither of the two realize the other is working separate cases which will ultimately connect. 

I for one, am hoping these two go into business together for future books. A huge fan of the series.

There is a common interest that bridges the two cases. Just Deserts. 

A vigilante. A website for those who want Justice. Even though not in the legal sense. People all over the planet inspired to exact vengeance on people who've got it coming, hoping like crazy that what they do is nasty enough to be honored on the website. 

Of course, Promise Falls is well known in this department. Getting even.

Duckworth almost died in the last book and is now a hero. He loves his donuts; however, his wife wants him around a little longer and has changed his diet. He is now down to 233 (loss of 47 pounds). However, he is still tempted.

Could he be getting too old for the job? Maybe a career change is in order?

His is married to Maureen and has a son named Trevor (now twenty-five living back at home). Duckworth's current case takes him to a bar, Knights and when he looks at the surveillance video; his son is lip locking in a corner with some gal, named Carol. Unemployed, but out drinking and evidently up to something secretive. 

What do they have to do with the abduction? 

A guy, Brian Gaffney was abducted from the bar and he does not remember anything. However, he has tattooed on his back, “I’m the sick F*** who killed Sean. He has no clue what this means? He seeks Duckworth’s help. 

There was also an older case of a younger guy, Craig Pierce(known sex offender) who molested a mentally handicapped girl and someone had taken matters into their own hands, months ago- since the law did not make him pay. 

Someone abducted him and had a dog to literally disfigure him. Half his face is missing, plus some manly private parts (ouch). The guy is barely alive. However, he is out to find the person who did this to him. 

Could it be the same person after Jeremy this time?

However, did what happened to Brian have anything to do with the other cases, or was he in the wrong place at the wrong time? 

Cal Weaver has suffered much loss from the previous books. His wife and son are gone. He is moving on and out on his own with a PI business.

His assignment takes him to twenty-something, Jeremy’s family. The wealthy grand-aunt, alcoholic mother-Gloria, her boyfriend, Bob, attorney, Grant Finch and big deal businessman, rich Galen Broadhurst – the guy who owned the Porch. 

Jeremy, was supposedly drunk driving one of his father’s friends' 9ll Porch and ran over and killed a young innocent girl. The attorney and mother helped him get off (so he did not have to do prison time), and there are many which are unhappy. 

They dubbed him as The Big Baby. He also has a friend Charlene. (many red herring here). The website followers are all over this case. They want to make him pay, since the legal system did not. 

Was there something else at play here they overlooked in the original investigation? Was Jeremy really guilty? You can be sure Cal will find it. 

Now throw in the mix, Jeremy and Brian look similar. Also to complicate matters, Brian was seeing a married woman Jessica (which he was unaware of her status). Also, Brian’s neighbors have issues (this gets quite comical with the dad). 

Why would someone tattoo something permanently etched into someone’s skin? A hidden message?

In the social media world and in real life, they are making Jeremy and his family miserable. They are in danger. They call in Cal to be his so-called bodyguard while investigating. However, Cal digs a little deeper into Jeremy’s past problems and gets too close to the truth putting them in more danger. 

Cal is on the run with Jeremy to keep the wolves away and get him out of town; however, someone is tracking them. However, it may be more than one person after them with different motives. 

Wow, PARTING SHOT was unputdownable! As always, in addition to the main cases, there are also always some entertaining secondary characters which always bring more exciting drama. Leave it up to Barclay to bring in another shocker added twist at the 98% mark.

Supercharged, from social media attacks and those who want to make their mark no matter how far they have to go to achieve their status. 

One of my favorite authors, (have read all his books), Barclay delivers a non-stop action crime thriller, in this town of wacky and dysfunction. A powerful writer, Barclay keeps the dry humor, domestic suspense, surprises, and plot twists coming full throttle from upstate New York to Cape Cod— there is never a dull moment. 

If you have not experienced Linwood Barclay, highly suggest you get started. For fans of Michael Robotham and Harlan Coben as well as those readers who enjoy intelligent dark thrillers with loads of twists.

Can’t wait to see what’s next! It is high time for a movie. What an imagination and an amazing storyteller.

JDCMustReadBooks