This book didn't instantly grab me in the beginning. In fact, I found the first couple of chapters to be a bit strange and boring, but as the story unraveled, the strange plot started to make some sort of sense.
However, I still have mixed feelings about the book in general. I was fairly interested in knowing how Tara's condition would turn out in the end, but the unfortunate part was that most of the book dragged for me and I felt like that made me care even less about how it would end. There were a lot of characters to try to remember, and at times I would forget exactly who had done what. My mind would randomly drift off while reading, but I still caught the main story.
The entire book revolves around a phone and honestly when I found out what was actually on the phone, I have to admit I felt a little let down. It seemed a little over the top to murder people because of what's hidden on a phone.
I think the book would have intrigued me more if it had been shorter. It definitely didn't make me want to run out and read any other books by this author, but it interested me enough to at least finish it. Seems I am in the minority though as I have seen a lot of high reviews about this one. I just feel like it dragged out a bit too long and maybe I just got bored too fast.
However, I still have mixed feelings about the book in general. I was fairly interested in knowing how Tara's condition would turn out in the end, but the unfortunate part was that most of the book dragged for me and I felt like that made me care even less about how it would end. There were a lot of characters to try to remember, and at times I would forget exactly who had done what. My mind would randomly drift off while reading, but I still caught the main story.
The entire book revolves around a phone and honestly when I found out what was actually on the phone, I have to admit I felt a little let down. It seemed a little over the top to murder people because of what's hidden on a phone.
I think the book would have intrigued me more if it had been shorter. It definitely didn't make me want to run out and read any other books by this author, but it interested me enough to at least finish it. Seems I am in the minority though as I have seen a lot of high reviews about this one. I just feel like it dragged out a bit too long and maybe I just got bored too fast.
Tara Beckley ends up trapped in a coma after an accident at Hammel College in Maine. Someone wants her dead. But why? This is a fast-paced, clever thriller that kept me guessing until the very end. Michael Koryta is a masterful writer. I have read 4 of his other books and have enjoyed them all. This one is my pick for #LMPBC #Round11 #GroupW and I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did.
What a ride! Beginning with the first sentence, "Nineteen minutes before her brain and her body parted ways, Tara Beckley's concern was the cold," the twists and turns in this book just keep coming, up to the very end.
Tara was asked to be the student escort for a famous scientist who was visiting her campus. On the way from dinner to the lecture hall, the scientist began to behave oddly, looking out the back window of Tara's car as if checking for someone following them, asking Tara strange questions, and finally insisting she drop him off so he could walk to the lecture hall, despite her worries about him arriving late and getting her into trouble. When she parked to let him out, a vehicle suddenly slammed into them, killing the scientist and seriously injuring Tara.
Eventually doctors, and those hunting the scientist's mysterious cell phone, discover that Tara had locked-in syndrome. She was completely aware of everything going on around her; however, she was paralyzed and unable to let anyone know she was there inside her body. As Tara slowly relearned communication skills, the danger in which she was balanced continued to grow. Many people, for various reasons, wanted to know what Tara saw at the accident site and how much of it she remembered.
Abby Kaplan was a race car driver, turned stunt driver, turned insurance investigator. Still haunted by an accident when her boyfriend, an up and coming movie star, was killed while she was driving, she returned to Maine to heal. Now she worked for the insurance carrier for Tara's college so she investigated Tara's accident to determine possible liability.
Dax Blackwell looked like a regular teenaged boy but looks can be very deceptive. Dax took the wheel of the family business when his uncle and father died and now he's a better killer-for-hire than either of them were, and that says a lot. He's bright, creative, ruthless, determined, and oddly enough, almost likeable.
Then there was Boone, who described herself as an agent from the Department of Energy but may not be exactly that. And there's the German. And Gerry. And a multitude of others., many with an interest in the missing phone.
Phone, phone. Who's got the scientist's phone, his real phone? Can the person who has the phone unlock it? And why does everybody want it anyway?
This is a fast-paced, exciting read. Highly recommended.
Tara was asked to be the student escort for a famous scientist who was visiting her campus. On the way from dinner to the lecture hall, the scientist began to behave oddly, looking out the back window of Tara's car as if checking for someone following them, asking Tara strange questions, and finally insisting she drop him off so he could walk to the lecture hall, despite her worries about him arriving late and getting her into trouble. When she parked to let him out, a vehicle suddenly slammed into them, killing the scientist and seriously injuring Tara.
Eventually doctors, and those hunting the scientist's mysterious cell phone, discover that Tara had locked-in syndrome. She was completely aware of everything going on around her; however, she was paralyzed and unable to let anyone know she was there inside her body. As Tara slowly relearned communication skills, the danger in which she was balanced continued to grow. Many people, for various reasons, wanted to know what Tara saw at the accident site and how much of it she remembered.
Abby Kaplan was a race car driver, turned stunt driver, turned insurance investigator. Still haunted by an accident when her boyfriend, an up and coming movie star, was killed while she was driving, she returned to Maine to heal. Now she worked for the insurance carrier for Tara's college so she investigated Tara's accident to determine possible liability.
Dax Blackwell looked like a regular teenaged boy but looks can be very deceptive. Dax took the wheel of the family business when his uncle and father died and now he's a better killer-for-hire than either of them were, and that says a lot. He's bright, creative, ruthless, determined, and oddly enough, almost likeable.
Then there was Boone, who described herself as an agent from the Department of Energy but may not be exactly that. And there's the German. And Gerry. And a multitude of others., many with an interest in the missing phone.
Phone, phone. Who's got the scientist's phone, his real phone? Can the person who has the phone unlock it? And why does everybody want it anyway?
This is a fast-paced, exciting read. Highly recommended.
