KILLER CHOICE
Tom Hunt
Berkley Books
ISBN 978-0-399-58640-8
Hardcover
Thriller

Let me say up front that I foresee a huge reading audience for KILLER CHOICE, one potentially far beyond the folks who reflexively pick up thriller novels. Anyone who has ever been gobsmacked by tragedy just when everything seems to be going their way --- or know someone who has (and that would include just about everyone) --- will identify with one or more of the elements of KILLER CHOICE which asks and answers the question, “How far would you go to save the life of someone you love?”

KILLER CHOICE is a very accurate though highly unlikely title for a story concerning a married couple whose relationship is suddenly afflicted with misfortune. Gary and Beth Foster are very much and very deeply in love and are blessed with the imminent arrival of their first child. Their circumstances aren’t idyllic, given that they live in an area of Michigan which has been hard hit economically and Gary’s business is having cash flow problems, but they think they see daylight up ahead financially. We learn all of this after the introduction of KILLER CHOICE, however, which finds Gary racing to the hospital where he and Beth learn that she has an inoperable brain tumor. That news, of course, changes everything. As matters take their course Beth and Gary learn of an experimental treatment program in Germany. It’s a last hope, and it’s all but beyond their reach, given that the program is not covered by their insurance and costs over two hundred thousand dollars. Gary’s brother and sister-in-law set up fundraisers which are well received but the charitable donations --- from folks who can barely afford their own expenses --- do not even approach what is needed. The publicity concerning the unfortunate situation, however, results in Gary being approached by an extremely shady character who offers Gary a way out. The stranger offers Gary the money he needs. All Gary has to do is kill someone for the stranger. Gary isn’t so much straight arrow as he is all right angles. He’s never even considered killing someone, doesn’t own weapons, and has no experience using them. He is, in other words, anything but a hit man. Desperate situations require desperate measures, however, and Gary is ultimately willing to do whatever it takes to save Beth’s life. He accepts the stranger’s offer, and follows through. Instead of putting everything right in Gary’s and Beth’s lives, however, his actions just makes things worse, and in ways that they (or the reader) would never anticipate. All that Gary can rely upon are his instincts and his business skill sets ---which includes just a touch of obsessive-compulsiveness --- to get him out of the difficulties into which he has placed himself and his family. I’m not really giving anything away when I tell you that it won’t be anywhere near enough.

Before you ask...yes. KILLER CHOICE is a bit reminiscent of Breaking Bad, though I was perhaps reminded even more of some of Jason Starr’s work or a book or two of Marcus Sakey’s. Debut author Tom Hunt, however, finds a couple of different story crevices to explore, and does so in a manner which makes KILLER CHOICE a one-sit read while ensuring that you add his name to your author list. You’ll also think twice before answering a phone call from an unidentified number as well, no matter what your circumstances. Recommended.

Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
© Copyright 2018, The Book Report, Inc. All rights reserved.

The first thing that caught my eye about this book was the description. I liked the premise and thought it sounded different and unique.

I wasn’t prepared for how quickly I would read it nor how much I would get hooked on the plot after only a few pages.

His wife is sick.
He needs $200,000 to save her.
A mysterious man offers to give him the money with just one catch: He has to murder someone to get it.

Gary Foster’s life is finally heading in the right direction. After years of trying, his wife, Beth, is pregnant, and he recently opened a business with his brother. But one phone call changes everything….

After collapsing suddenly, Beth has been rushed to the hospital. Tests reveal a devastating diagnosis: an inoperable brain tumor. Their only hope is an expensive experimental treatment available abroad, with a cost that’s out of their reach. And Beth’s time is running out….

Then a strange man approaches Gary and offers the money he needs, on one condition: that he kill someone, no questions asked. End one life to save another.

In this nail-biting debut novel of domestic suspense, one man makes a choice that forces him to confront the darkest reaches of his soul and betray those closest to him. As he’s swept up in a nightmare of escalating violence, he must question his own morality—and determine just how far he’s willing to go to save the woman he loves (summary from Goodreads).

One of the things that stood out to me as I was reading was how much this book makes you question your own morals and ethics. I found myself wondering what would I do if I was in Gary’s position? What would my husband do? This book actually prompted a lot of random dinner discussion topics along those lines so I loved how the book generated conversations about strange topics or topics you wouldn’t normally discuss.

This book had so many moral questions as well as twists and turns that I was completely ensconced with the moral questions and characters. I loved that about this book. There were just so many things to make readers wonder what they would do and I loved how it made me think about extreme situations that will likely never happen to any of us, but yet feel like they could happen at any moment. It was a compelling and interesting book in that sense.

The book actually was fairly fast paced. The first couple of chapters were a little slower but then again it was setting the stage for what story. Some people thought it started too slow but I actually felt like it was ok to start slowly and build up to a rapidly paced book. For me after about the third or fourth chapter, I was cruising and loving the pace of the novel. The way the book was structure made it easy for me to keep reading at a steady pace.

Gary, the main character, is an interesting figure. I think readers will respond to him in many different ways. Some may find him sympathetic while others will find him weak. But you can’t look at Gary as a character without looking at the situation he is in which is why the plot is so paramount to the story. I personally didn’t care for Gary at the end but yet at times I was sympathetic toward him and was glad I would likely never be in his situation because frankly I don’t know what I would do. To me that is the crux of this thriller…..what would you do? There is no black and white or right or wrong just what can you live with and what can you not.

As a side note…I am not a fan of the title. I don’t think it does this book justice and it doesn’t really stand out to me. It’s not memorable or catchy. I am not sure what else I would title the book but this to me didn’t set it apart in the way that I think the novel should be distinguished. It just seemed uninspiring to me.

This is a very solid thriller with an interesting perspective and moral dilemma. If you like thrillers that make you think, this is a very intense option!

Challenge/Book Summary:

Book: Killer Choice by Tom Hunt

Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Expected publication: January 30th 2018 by Berkley
ASIN B0722TJD9G
Review copy provided by: Author/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book counts toward: NA

Hosted by: NA
Books for Challenge Completed: NA
Recommendation: 4 out of 5

Genre: Thriller

Memorable lines/quotes: NA

What would you do to save the wife and unborn baby you love? What price is too high?

Gary and Beth are a normal middle-class couple. Their idea of a big night is drinking wine and playing Scrabble. Gary owns and runs an outerwear store with his brother, Rod, the wild child in the family. They just found out that Beth is pregnant and they are ecstatic.

But...they then find out that Beth has inoperable brain cancer and her only hope is an expensive experimental treatment in Germany.

So the question comes back to Gary - what exactly would you do to save your beloved wife, your soul mate?

I wanted to like this story more than I actually did. I did not like Gary's character at all and since he's the main focus of the book, that made this a difficult book to rate favorably. I thought he was wishy washy and he made some decisions I just didn't morally agree with.

I read the book. I finished the book. Some people will like the book but I just didn't.

I received this book from Berkley Publishing through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read the book and leave an unbiased review.

How do I describe Killer Choice, a book that’s both good and bad at the same time? The writing was good. Everything that happens was bad. I would call this an afterschool special. Or better yet a fable. It’s one of those situations where at the end someone would say to you, “What’s the moral of the story?” And that moral would be not to try and change destiny no matter how much you want to. If you are faced with insurmountable odds, just hope that things will work out on their own because choices have consequences. And some of those consequences can be really, really bad.

I don’t want to give it all away so I’ll try to sum it up. Gary and his wife Beth have been together for twenty years. They are expecting their first child. Beth collapses and soon finds out that she has an inoperable brain tumor that will likely kill her in the not so distant future. There is an experimental trial in Germany that would cost $200,000 that they don’t have. Gary and Beth set up a GO FUND ME type of website to raise money. They do a video and news spot to get the word out but that just doesn’t seem like it will be enough. And then Gary gets approached with an offer that he should refuse. He can make $200,000. All he has to do is murder a cop. And he does. Everything else that happens after that is a lesson in bad choices for everyone involved. There is no happy ending. Gary and his family’s life will never be the same.

I so hoped that there would be a point in Killer Choice where the good guy lives happily ever after. That’s not exactly what happens. In essence, tragedy happens. I just won’t tell you for whom the bell tolls. It was depressing and I understand why everything happened the way that it did. There’s a message. You have to read it to get it. It’s painful but realistic.

Poor Gary! His wife's life is in his hands. He can save her, but to do so he needs a lot of money; $200,000 to be exact. Adding insult to injury, she is finally pregnant. Now his whole world is at stake. Just like that, Otto shows up with an offer. He will fix their financial issues. It only takes one murder. Just one murder and then two lives will be saved. The burning question is, can Gary take a life? My issues with the book. Way too much language and the villain, he goes from bad, to too overdone to cope with. The ending, well, it just stopped and wasn't logical to me.

My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own, and this review was left of my own free will.

It comes down to the age old question - exactly how far would you go for the one you love? Told strictly through Gary's point of view - we see how he goes from high hopes of finally expecting a baby with his wife.. to potentially losing her. His wife.. who he's known for more than half his life. His rock. He can't imagine life without her and he'll do anything to make sure he doesn't lose her. Enter an opportunity that could potentially solve everything... but at what cost?

I love it when a debut novel delivers! This was an extremely fast read for me. Yes, I know.. I read fast and I read a lot but sometimes you just get glued to that story line and this one really sucked me in! Gary really goes through quite a bit. You never quite know exactly how far you would go for someone until you're put in that predicament. There were a few times that I was like, "uh uh! Oh no you didn't! GARY!!!!" Towards the end he reminded me of Walter White - doing anything at the expense of anyone. PHEW!

I do wish there were a few things - while the book focused on everything Gary did to get to the point that he did. The beginning and aftermath I would've liked to have seen fleshed out a bit. They felt a tad bit rushed. I wanted to see more into the relationships he had with the people surrounding him. Make me feel a little more empathetic to his cause.

I love it when a debut novel gets my panties in a bunch. This one certainly had me shaking my head a few time in a disturbingly good way. I can only see Tom Hunt's work getting better with each novel and I look forward to seeing where he goes. Count me in for the Hunt!!

Have you ever had to make a decision that feels like the biggest decision of your life? Gary Foster has to decide between saving his wife and murdering someone, what does he decide to do and how will it all end?

Rarely do I suspend belief when I read. Yes, I read fiction, but its usually fiction that could really happen and yes this story could happen, but the chances are the slimmest of slim! So if you suspend all things, this book can be really entertaining. It even made me think of the decisions that I have had to make that could have sent my life down another path. Obviously my decisions were not as life threatening as in this book, but there are still big decisions that we each make that are a big deal.

I enjoyed this book. It was a fun, quick read during a winter weekend and I would even suggest as an addition to your beach/pool bag for a holiday or vacation.

Gary Foster is running out of time. His pregnant wife Beth has been diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. Her chances of survival are slim but her doctor advises them about an experimental procedure in Germany. This treatment is not covered by insurance and the Fosters lack the funds to pay for it. They have embarked on a fundraiser with hopes of starting treatment quickly. Unfortunately, they remain way short of their goal and the outlook appears bleak for Beth and their unborn baby.

A local stranger comes to Gary’s rescue. He has read about their financial problems and offers him a deal. Commit a murder and the money for Beth’s treatment is his. Gary is left with a tough decision and little time to deliberate.

This is a debut novel by Tom Hunt. Killer Choice is a fast-paced novel with escalating tensions. I look forward to more books by this author.

This is a fantastic debut novel. I love reading a really well written thriller. This book was very well written. The characters grabbed and held onto me throughout the story. There was a large portion of this book where I could feel for the characters or feel as they were feeling. The story itself is what kept me going. The twists and turns had me devouring the pages. I will say I hate Gary. He absolutely irritated me. He seemed a bit weak. All in all, I loved this story. If you are looking for a great thriller, something that makes you ask yourself "Could I do that?" this is definitely a must read!
received an advanced copy from netgalley

i loved this book. The idea, the execution, the characters, all of it.

Fast paced. Great read! 4.5 Stars
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I love when a book surprises you. I picked up this suspense novel expecting to put in a lot of hours basking in the details and basically muddling through.

However, this one totally was the opposite. Very fast-paced and written in such a way that I literally flew through the book. I was finished with it in about three hours because I just couldn’t wait to find out what happened.

In this crazy plot that the author develops, we are asked question – what would we do if we had to make the ultimate decision to save a life while taking a life.

Many of us may know right now the answer to that. More of us will probably vacillate and have a hard time making a decision or just not make a decision at all.

The author brings us through the stress and anxiety the characters feel. Uncomfortable situations. Violence and agony. Lies and deceit. And then the ugly truth.

You think you know the answer and how this will end up. But you are probably wrong.

A highly engaging, fast moving story that is a bit shocking, gritty, and even a bit too out there to be true. Or is it?

What would you do?

Thank you to Berkley Pub for inviting me on the Blog Tour For KILLER CHOICE, and thank you for sending me an E-ARC in exchange of an honest review.

This book really does make you ask yourself how far you'd go for someone you love? Where do you draw the line between right and wrong? Does doing a horrific deed in the name of saving someone you love, make it okay?

I really did enjoy this book, it was like an action movie in book form. It was very fast paced, and it had a hold on to the edge of your seat quality to it. I felt like Gary hit one speed bump after another, and nothing really went right for him. But I suppose if your approached about murdering someone, it's not supposed to be easy right?

This was my first Tom Hunt novel, and I think I enjoyed this one enough, that I would read another one of his books. I feel like fans of Tom Clancy and the like will really enjoy this book.

Quick: Roll up your pantlegs - it's too late to save your shoes!

I can't count how many times I've said that over the years. And I'm betting I said it at least half a dozen times during the couple of days it took to read this book. At issue, you see, is that only a ton of money - $200,000, to be exact - will save Gary Foster's wife Beth from dying (or more correctly, give her a chance of not dying as soon as she otherwise will). Beth, who's pregnant with their long-hoped-for child, has been diagnosed with a gioblastoma - the same type of brain cancer that took the life of the son of former Vice President Joe Biden and his wife and currently threatens the life of Arizona Sen. John McCain - making this a timely topic.

But alas, there's no treatment except via an experimental drug found only in Germany; while there are no guarantees, so far the trials have shown positive results. The only drawback? The exorbitant cost. Gary and Beth try everything they can think of to raise the money, but no matter what they do, it's just not enough. Enter a shady character named Otto, who somehow learns about their dilemma and contacts Gary with an offer he can't refuse: Want the money? Commit murder.

And from that point on, any sympathy I had for Gary pretty much went out the window. I had to wonder if the Fosters were subjected to the current TV commercial for one of those miracle drugs that proclaims, "Who wouldn't want the chance to live longer?" Well, don't be ridiculous; we all would. But at what cost? I know for certain I wouldn't kill someone else to get a drug that might or might not work; and if I were the patient, I also know for certain I would never try to make my husband feel guilty for not doing more to help, as Beth did at one early-on point. And right then, I pretty much stopped feeling sorry for her as well.

As one might suspect, nothing is as simple as it appears - but many of the obstacles in Gary's quest for serious cash stem from what I'd call plain old stupidity. Who in his right mind would agree to the strict terms Otto sets forth, especially when not accompanied by a hefty down payment at the very least? But agree Gary does, and from that point on no matter how fast he shovels, the mud just keeps getting deeper as new turns of events stand between him and the money he so desperately wants. Meanwhile, almost as an afterthought, we learn that the outdoor apparel shop Gary and his brother Rod operate is in serious financial trouble. But honestly, since Rod is a reformed screw-up and I just can't warm up to Gary or Beth, I found it hard to care.

There's no shortage of action, which held my attention throughout as I tried my best to figure out how the whole escapade would end. Not quite so happily, though, I also wrestled with a few other inconsistencies. Wouldn't Beth, for instance, balk at taking an experimental drug without knowing it wouldn't harm her baby? And why did an event venue operator who claimed to have no open dates for months to come offer, just a few days later, a date only two weeks away? Hmmm, guess a few folks bailed, eh?

Oh well, I'll never know. Regardless, overall this is a fast-paced adventure that I read almost in a single sitting - with, as I mentioned early on, a timely topic. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Tom Hunt’s debut was everything a thriller should be! Fast paced, life and death decisions, and complex, relatable characters make Killer Choice a book you can’t put down. This novel raises serious questions, moral dilemmas and has you asking just how far you’re willing to go for someone you love.

Suspenseful and one that sticks with you. Life often forces us to make hard choices. This one makes you think twice about people who surround you, even loved ones. Clear your calendar and make sure you have a block of time because you will read this in one sitting.

DNF This novel began so slowly I wanted to give up early on, but I did my best to persevere. The other problem was that I wasn’t being pulled into the characters’ points of view. From Gary’s perspective, I should have been sad and stressed and emotionally wrought. I wasn’t. From Otto’s perspective I should have felt truly terrified—instead, I couldn’t care less if Otto was tortured and beheaded like it appeared might happen to him. When the plot finally got going, it was ridiculous, (there were other ways for Gary to solve his dilemma) I officially gave up.

A very surprising novel. Starts out as predictable but escalates into a riveting story. Very good read! Enjoy!

I ditto what Lee Child's comment about Killer Choice. “Terrific…full of shocks and twists you won’t see coming--unputdownable and highly recommended!”—Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author

The Foster’s life is finally heading in the right direction. After years of trying, Beth, is now pregnant. Gary and brother Rod recently opened a outdoor clothing business and they are getting on their feet. Then Gary receives a phone call.

After collapsing suddenly, Beth has been rushed to the hospital. Tests reveal a devastating diagnosis: an inoperable brain tumor. Routine chemo and radiation don't work and the tumor is rapidly growing. They are told of an experimental treatment that would require them to move to Germany. The cost is a whopping $200,000.00. The Foster's have little assets. Time is running out for Beth and the baby.

Gary gets another life changing phone call. A strange man who calls himself Shamrock, approaches Gary and offers all the money he needs for Bets's treatment, on one condition: that he kill someone, no questions asked. End the life of what he says is an evil man to save the life of a good woman and her unborn child. .

Life changing choices forces Gary to confront the darkest reaches of his soul and betray those closest to him. As the violence escalates, your blood WILL run cold. You question your own morality concerning how far you would be willing to go to save the life of one you love.

The plot put me in the mind of a book by Scott Smith, A Simple Plan. It's hard to cover up illegal and immoral actions even when you think you have everything under control. One lie/wrong choice just leads to another lie/wrong choice.

I can't wait for the next Tom Hunt offering.

Gary and Beth are happily married and happily pregnant after having tried so long for a baby that they had nearly given up hope. All seems to be going well until suddenly and unexpectedly Beth collapses. After a trip to the emergency room they are given devastating news. Beth has an inoperable tumor and may have less than a year to live. Her only hope of survival is a costly experimental treatment that they can not afford.

Meanwhile a shady character named Otto has caught the eye of a crooked cop and wants to be rid of him permanently. He hatches a plan to have the cop murdered by someone who has no connection to him so that he will never be a suspect. When Otto sees an article about Gary and Beth's dire situation he decides to take advantage of their desperate need for money.

This was a fast paced, suspenseful, action packed thriller with a lot of heart. There were a couple of things that irked me, having to do with police procedure and cash that I won't go into so as not to spoil the story but overall I enjoyed it.
3.75 out of 5 stars rounded up to 4

I would actually give this 3-1/2 stars!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This is a page-turner that will keep you guessing as to what happens next. Gary’s wife, Beth, find out that she has a brain tumor, and her only hope is a trial that will set them back $200K, which they don’t have. Beth is determined to raise the money, which trickles in, and then Gary receives an offer that could alleviate their money troubles. But at what price? Wat a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive! Things quickly spiral out of control, in directions you won’t see coming.

The characters are solid and likable, well, at least at the beginning. And while I prefer to think of myself as being able to take the moral high ground (don’t we all?) if I were faced with this dilemma, would I? How far would I go to save someone I love? How far would you go? Under what circumstances?

The ending left me a little unsatisfied, but the writing and dialog are solid, and the plot and twists will keep you reading