on the run – Freshly Printed

Thomas Perry The Burglar cover

Book Description: From the New York Times bestselling author Thomas Perry, who can be depended upon to deliver high-voltage shocks” (Stephen King), comes a new thriller about an unlikely burglar – a young woman in her 20s – who realizes she must solve a string of murders, or else become the next victim.

Elle Stowell is a young woman with an unconventional profession: burglary. But Elle is no petty thief – with just the right combination of smarts, looks, and skills, she can easily stroll through ritzy Bel Air neighborhoods and pick out the perfect home for plucking the most valuable items.

This is how Elle has always gotten by – she is good at it, and she thrives on the thrill. But after stumbling upon a grisly triple homicide while stealing from the home of a wealthy art dealer, Elle discovers that she is no longer the only one sneaking around. Somebody is searching for her.

As Elle realizes that her knowledge of the high-profile murder has made her a target, she races to solve the case before becoming the next casualty, using her breaking-and-entering skills to uncover the truth about exactly who the victims were and why someone might have wanted them dead. With high-stakes action and shocking revelations, The Burglar will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they barrel towards the heart-racing conclusion.”

The main character, Elle Stowell, is meticulous, investigative, and swift. She knows how to pick locks, enter residences quietly, scout out homes and locations, and obtain wares from homes without owner knowledge – for the most part.

One day, she enters a home she’s been casing for a while. Thinking she’ll make out with some amazing objects, she assumes the owner is gone, but unfortunately finds him and two other women in an uncompromising situation in the bedroom and they are deceased. Elle panics a bit, realizes there is a camera filming and she’s now part of the footage. She takes the camera, goes home to study it, and returns it to the homeowner’s residence for the police to find after she’s wiped any trail of her presence.

Where she thought she was doing a good deed, tides begin to turn. Someone is aware that she was there and now they are after her. As she begins to research and study people associated with the murder victims, the lens begins to narrow to her. She doesn’t know who to trust and she doesn’t know where she’s safe.

Who is after her and why? And will she be able to get herself out of the situation alive?

I enjoyed this book. I liked the fact that after a bit of a backstory of Elle, even though many may disagree with her life choice of being a burglar (vocation passed down for generations), you begin to identify with her and want her to “win”. There are a few intense moments of car chases, foot chases, and an urgency that was well written. She is smart, determined, and willing to outsmart those chasing her, so justice can be done.

I loved the pace, the intrigue, the suspense building up to an event with someone she thought would become a love interest. That was better than the ending, in my opinion. But this was well written and hooked me. And I certainly learned a lot about burgling! 🙂

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Grove Atlantic Mysterious Press and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I appreciate the opportunity to receive an advanced reader copy to do so. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html>: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

falling like snowflakes

This book garners five stars from me!! I loved each delicate moment.

Eden Davis is on the run. She and her son Micah have witnessed the murder of Eden’s husband and Eden knows they are not safe anywhere, as the marshals left to protect them have been murdered as well.

The story begins in a restaurant off of the freeway, where Eden and Micah are having a quick breakfast. After she and her son return to their booth from a bathroom run, they realize a book bag that had all of their cash inside has been stolen! And to make matters worse, the car she’s driving is unreliable and in desperate need of repairs. She is able to make it to a shop to get the work started on it, but has to create new names and identities for herself and Micah.

In need of a job to pay back the shop for the work on her car, and to get back on the road to get to a cabin she’s planned to get to, she stops at a ranch where she meets the Callahans and is able to begin work. Through months of secrecy and trying to maintain her cover while she plans her journey to the cabin, Eden finds herself enjoying the hospitality of everyone at the farm. She is guarded and trying to protect her son, but also begins to feel love like she’s never felt. While Eden determines whether to trust and love again, Beau Callahan is falling for her and Micah.

This story was so well written, and very easy to follow. I loved the characters, the Callahan family, the way you could feel the urgency for Eden’s safety, the intensity of her protection over Micah, and the love that bled through Beau’s interactions with her and her son. It’s a wonderful love story, and one that takes time to build up, but is done with grace and ease. There are no boring lulls, or ends left untied. I highly recommend for a story that reassures your hope in lovable Christian fiction!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher’s BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html): “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”