Oblivion Road by Alex McAulay
Genre:  Young Adult
Publisher:  MTV Books
Publication Date:  November 13, 2007
ISBN:  978-1416548065
293 pages

My Rating:  4 Stars

Five stranded teenagers must battle for their lives against a group of escaped convicts, and each other, in this shocking survival thriller from the author of Bad Girls and Lost Summer.

Courtney Stanton thinks she's on just another ski trip with her friends -- until a horrific car accident strands them all on an isolated Colorado road during a blizzard. Frightened but alive, Courtney and her companions discover an abandoned vehicle nearby, and seek help. But the vehicle turns out to be a prison van, with the inmates missing, and the guard's dead body in the front seat.

Soon after, a stumbling figure emerges from the snow, a handcuffed refugee from the van. He says he's been in prison for selling meth, but that he once served in the army. Dare they trust him? He pleads innocence about the guard's murder, warns them about the other fugitives, and promises he will help guide them out of the wilderness. But as the group begins a nightmare trek across the frozen landscape, they start to get the feeling he hasn't told them the entire truth, and someone -- or something -- is secretly watching their every move.

Reading this book made me think of those teenage horror flicks I used to watch as a young adult.  Every scene in the book I could picture on the big screen.  It's one of those that I would be gripping my husband's hand next to me as I sit on the edge of my seat, waiting for the next ball to drop, trembling with anticipation.  The author created such a suspenseful, tense storyline that kept me up until 1:00am on a work night, because I HAD to know how it ended!

I loved this book!  I will admit that I figured out what was going on about midway through, but I didn't know for sure, so I was furiously turning the pages to see if I was right!  The author's pacing of the story was spot on and kept me intrigued page after page.  I love how the chapters ended on a cliffhanger, so I had to continue reading to see what happened next!  Hence, the staying up until 1:00am part!

I'm not going to recap the book as I think the synopsis is spot on and covers it all perfectly.  I love suspenseful novels and this one definitely fit the bill.  This is the first book I read by this author and I will definitely be looking for his others.  This is a great young adult book, with some fairly gruesome scenes, so be forewarned!!  It reads very quickly and easily and will keep you on the edge of your seat.  Recommended!!

I received this book from Other Shelf Tours, a book touring site.

 
Worst Case by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
Series:  NYPD Detective Michael Bennett, Book 3
Other books in series:  Step on a Crack (Bk 1), Run For Your Life (Bk 2)
Genre:  Mystery/Suspense
ISBN:  9780316036221
354 pages

My Rating:  4 Stars

Best case: survival

The son of one of New York's wealthiest families is snatched off the street and held hostage. His parents can't save him, because this kidnapper isn't demanding money. Instead, he quizzes his prisoner on the price others pay for his life of luxury. In this exam, wrong answers are fatal.

Worst case: death

Detective Michael Bennett leads the investigation. With ten kids of his own, he can't begin to understand what could lead someone to target anyone's children. As another student disappears, one powerful family after another uses their leverage and connections to turn the heat up on the mayor, the press--anyone who will listen--to stop this killer. Their reach extends all the way to the FBI, who send their top Abduction Specialist, Agent Emily Parker. Bennett's life--and love life--suddenly get even more complicated.

This case: Detective Michael Bennett is on it

Before Bennett has a chance to protest the FBI's intrusion on his case, the mastermind changes his routine. His plan leads up to the most devastating demonstration yet--one that could bring cataclysmic devastation to every inch of New York.

This is the third novel in the NYPD series starring Detective Michael Bennett.  He is a single dad with 10 adopted children (yes, I said TEN!), a nanny named Mary Catherine (MC) who has an obvious crush on Michael, and Michael’s father, Seamus, an Irish Catholic priest, who is always good for a laugh or two.  In this third installment, Detective Bennett is tasked with the unthinkable – locating and stopping a man with a personal vendetta against the rich.  This sicko is kidnapping and killing young adults who come from wealthy and elite families and giving them a "test" about social issues and injustices happening all over the world.  Pass the test - they live.  Fail the test - they die.  In this case, Michael has help from FBI agent, Emily Parker, a kidnapping specialist from Washington, D.C.  As Michael and Emily race around New York City trying to locate the missing kids before it is too late, a tentative romance appears to blossom between the two.  I am very intrigued by Emily and I hope we’ll get to see her again in future stories.  I want to know more about her and her past.  Patterson seems to have set her up to return to New York City at some point.  Time will tell! 

All in all, this is another quick and suspenseful read from Patterson, with co-author Michael Ledwidge.  I am enjoying the Michael Bennett series very much.  In his trademark 2-3 page chapters, it is quite easy to consume this book in one day.  I thought this was a great story, with lots of twists and turns.  I’d recommend it to other Patterson fans! 

Genre:  Mystery/Suspense/Thriller (Medical, Political)
Softcover ARC provided by the author
ISBN
xxx pages My Rating:  4 stars 

Four murders.

Three accidents.

Two suicides.

One left…

THE LAST SURGEON

Michael Palmer’s latest novel pits a flawed doctor against a ruthless psychopath, who has made murder his art form. Dr. Nick Garrity, a vet suffering from PTSD—post traumatic stress disorder—spends his days and nights dispensing medical treatment from a mobile clinic to the homeless and disenfranchised in D.C. and Baltimore. In addition, he is constantly on the lookout for his war buddy Umberto Vasquez, who was plucked from the streets by the military four years ago for a secret mission and has not been seen since.

Psych nurse Jillian Coates wants to find her sister’s killer. She does not believe that Belle Coates, an ICU nurse, took her own life, even though every bit of evidence indicates that she did—every bit save one. Belle has left Jillian a subtle clue that connects her with Nick Garrity.  

Together, Nick and Jillian determine that one-by-one, each of those in the operating room for a fatally botched case is dying. Their discoveries pit them against genius Franz Koller--the highly-paid master of the “non-kill”—the art of murder that does not look like murder. As Doctor and nurse move closer to finding the terrifying secret behind these killings, Koller has been given a new directive: his mission will not be complete until Jillian Coates and Garrity, the last surgeon, are dead.

My Thoughts:

I was a little flabbergasted when famous author, Michael Palmer, contacted ME – yes, lil ‘ol me! – to review his upcoming book!  I happily obliged, of course!!  I will, sheepishly, admit that this is the first book I’ve read of Palmer’s. 

It will not be my last.

From the first sentence on the first page, I was entranced.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book, with all of its twists and turns, ups and downs.  It held my interest page to page.  I normally don’t seek out political thrillers, but this one was really good!  I’d actually classify it as a medical/political thriller.  There wasn’t too much medical detail, but just enough for me to understand what was happening.  The story centers around former Army trauma surgeon, Dr. Nick Garrity, who has been searching for his war buddy, Umberto, for over 4 years.  Nick and Umberto experienced a tragedy while on tour together and both are suffering the severe effects of PTSD.  Nick’s path eventually crosses with Jillian Coates, who is investigating the recent death of her sister, Belle.  The police ruled Belle’s death a suicide, but Jillian firmly believes that there was foul play involved.  Nick and Jillian soon discover a link between Umberto and Belle that takes them on an unexpected roller-coaster ride where they discover secrets that someone is determined to keep buried. 

Mixed in with the narrative of Nick and Jillian, we meet Franz Koller, a diabolical master of the “non-kill”, who is paid by a mysterious person to murder certain people.  These scenes are chilling and cringe-worthy and will surely make you squirm!  Mr. Koller is surely not someone I’d like to meet in a dark alley!!  His ability to change personas to meet the needs of his next “assignment” will definitely keep the reader on edge, furiously turning the pages to see what will happen next!

This is a great thriller and one I would highly recommend.  It’s an edge-of-your-seat brain-bender with a stunning and unexpected conclusion!  I can’t wait to read more of Palmer’s work!

Many thanks to Mr. Palmer for providing me with a review copy of this book!  Although I received it for free, it in no way influenced my review of the book.

Follow Michael Palmer on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/Michael_Palmer

Become a Michael Palmer Books Fan on Facebook:
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NYT Best Selling Author
http://www.michaelpalmerbooks.com/

Details:

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I already know of 2 books that I will read for this challenge (Sweetheart and Evil at Heart by Chelsea Cain), but I will add the others as I go!  Looking forward to this!

Book List:

1. Look Again by Lisa Scottoline (January)
2. Shadows Still Remain by Peter de Jonge (January)
3. The Last Surgeon by Michael Palmer (February)
4. Scandal Sheet by Gemma Halliday (March)
5. Shakespeare's Champion by Charlaine Harris (March)
6. 9th Judgment by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (March)
7. Worse Case by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge (March)
8. Oblivion Road by Alex McAulay (March)
9. Live to Tell by Wendy Corsi Staub (May)
10. The Quickie by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge (May)
11. The Postcard Killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund (June)
12. Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (June)