Thank you so much for this ARC!

Incredible, TM Logan does it again. This book was fast paced yet complicated and interesting. Cannot wait to see what the author writes next.

Sarah Heywood has the same dilemma all newly minted liberal arts PhDs have. Jobs are hard to come by. So your opening gig is as an overworked temporary instructor at a University. The main goal of every other similar person is to get promoted to the tenure track. So you accept every assignment be it academic, administrative, or professional service. All in the hope of getting on the good side of the boss. The Department Chair.

Alan Hawthorne is the golden boy of Queen Anne’s University. Respected by faculty, administration, and professional peers. Well published. Well connected. Has secured grants in the millions. Tall, blond, imposing baritone, handsome, rich, and stunning teeth, too. Even hosts a TV show on BBC.

And he’s a pig.

Arrogant. Condescending. A world-class letch. People who’ve known him since his days as a university student say he hasn’t changed a bit. Women who haven’t fallen for him are pursued until they finally succumb, by will or by force. Sarah is his latest target.

Sarah’s life hasn’t quite gone the way she’d hoped. As a student, she fell for the quintessential struggling actor, got pregnant young, and delivered her second child a couple weeks after defending her doctoral thesis. The actor has struggled and recently ran off to Bristol to chase artistic opportunities as well as an equally struggling actress. Good think her Father is around to help referee 8yo Grace and 5yo Harry.

After being delayed by the latest in a string of propositions by Hawthorne, Sarah has to rush to pick up the kids. Taking a traffic detour, she happens on what appears to be a grandpa walking his granddaughter. Until another car blocks the sidewalk and attempts to take the little girl. Sarah become enraged and rams the car and its driver, but the child disappears. A day or two later, Sarah herself is abducted and taken to a shadowy businessman. Guy by the name of Grosvenor.

Turns out the little girl was Grosvenor’s daughter and Sarah had indeed prevented an attempted abduction. Grosvenor wants to reward Sarah for her bravery, but she refuses. At a last resort, he plays his trump card. “Give me one name. One person. And I will make them disappear.” No one will know. It's what he's good at. Stunned, Sarah says she has no such name. Grosvenor tells her the offer is good for 72 hours. Gives her a throw-away cell phone with a single number programed in. All she has to do is open the phone and hit the 'Send' key.

In the next 72 hours, Sarah struggles with the offer and just what it might mean or entail. Then Hawthorne hits on her . . . again. This time he makes insinuations and implications of the consequences to come her way if she doesn’t bed him. Soon. And often. At his pleasure. At his command.

And the implication becomes reality. Budget cuts mean each department will have to make personnel decisions. Not only will she not be promoted to a permanent contract, she will probably be let go. And if let go, Hawthorne can make sure every university with an opening will know to steer clear of Sarah Heywood.

Livid beyond words, Sarah goes back and forth about whether to accept Grosvenor’s offer. The Faustian corner of her mind makes the call to this devil on the Thames. And when Hawthorne’s behavior starts to become out of character and he then does indeed disappear, Sarah’s guilt meter redlines. She now has to figure out how to live with herself, deal with the police and colleagues/friends, and whether what she’s done will actually affect her job, career, family, and the future.

But that’s far from the entirety of the book. The last third of the book is every bit as tense and shocking as was Fatal Attraction. This 2018 book is listed as a mystery/thriller, but I’d put it in the psycho-suspense bucket.

Trust me on this one. Pick up this book knowing these two things:

First, Logan pulls no punches in the politics and practices of the sexual power play. I am positive there are many examples that might ring too true and cause chills to anyone who might’ve experienced, or known of, similar situations. Hawthorne is pig. A disgusting despicable pig. That you’ll hate him is a testament to Logan’s skill. Just be warned.
Second, don’t expect to read a couple chapters here and there. YOU WILL BE HOOKED QUICKLY. A one to two sitting read. The story and its twists are wonderfully presented by Logan. Just don’t forget to breathe every now and then.


Oh, and how does the book's title fit in? That phone call to Grosvenor lasted . . . you guessed it . . . 29 seconds.

ECD

Sarah has worked hard. Spent many hours over time trying to find a permanent place in her organization. Alan Hawthorne, her boss, holds all the power when it comes to her success. This is especially difficult since he has a habit of sexual misconduct. The women on his team can either put out or their chances of progressing in they job is lost. He can also make it where no other college will hire them. Sarah is on her own. Then an incredible answer to her problem is set before her. Give one name to a certain person and that person will disappear. She is at a crossroads. Can she live with the knowledge that because of her one person's life is erased?
Remembering all the threats that Alan Hawthorne had threatened her with, she thinks the answer is yes. The repercussions are numerous and she could lose everything, including her children.
Can she make a bargain with the devil and still keep her soul?
Very well written. A surprising ending. Great characters. Definitely some you love to hate!!

This is a psychological thriller that will hook the reader from the first page to the last page. If you don't want to be up all night reading it, don't start it. Has twists you don't see coming and an unexpected ending--fast and fun read! Thank you NetGalley for an E=ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. This was quite a ride. I almost stopped reading at one point, finding the protagonist’s situation with her gangster “benefactor” too far-fetched for me. But I decided to read on, curious where the author would take the story, and I’m glad I did. The unexpected kept happening, drawing me in so that I knew I couldn’t stop reading until I finished the book. Well done!

“Perhaps sometimes in life, an impossible situation required an unthinkable solution.”

It’s the Me-Too Movement and Revenge all in one. What if you could make someone disappear for good? Someone you detested, who is holding back your career and harassing you at every opportunity that presents itself. Would you do it?

Sarah is in a very bad situation that quickly goes from awful to terrible to horrendous. She’s stuck in a hole that keeps getting larger and larger. She can’t tell anyone or else there will be life and death repercussions. How can she get herself out of this mess before her life is completely ruined?

“The sense of powerlessness was overwhelming. A plunging black hole that pulled her deeper and deeper. One she knew she could never escape.”

29 Seconds is a roller-coaster ride filled with suspense, fear and tragedy. All Sarah ever wanted was a permanent teaching position instead of being on contract. She has worked so hard and took on more responsibility to help make it happen. But her boss, Alan Hawthorne, is a vindictive S.O.B. who ties her advancement up the ladder to sexual favors he demands from her, as a show of her commitment to her job.

“Inside she was screaming, raging, half-blinded with anger and frustration and the sheer bloody injustice of it all. All of the work she had put in, all of the hours, all the nights she’d worked past midnight until she was nodding off over the laptop. All of the days punch-drunk with fatigue, pushing on and keeping going regardless. None of it seemed to matter. None of it would make a difference.”

I could not put this book down. The suspense kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. The reader cannot help but root for Sarah and despise Hawthorne. He is the worst of the worst, refusing to accept no for an answer and raising the stakes higher and higher. To put it simply, Hawthorne is disgusting and despicable!

“Every time you thought he’d hit rock bottom, he always found a way of stooping even lower.”

The twists were great and I did not see them coming. All along, Sarah is the victim and yet she makes him into one! The pacing was perfect as was the character development. T. M. Logan has done it again! Lies was a great book but 29 Seconds is equally great or maybe greater. The topical nature of 29 Seconds makes it a particularly satisfying read that I would highly recommend.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Last year, I had the pleasure of reading Lies by T.M. Logan, and it was definitely one of the better books I read all last year. This book was no different, granted that it's only nearing the end of March, but I see this one sticking up there at the top all year long. A thrilling ride from start to finish, it inserts you into the story, as if you're living in Sarah's shoes. If you had the chance to erase your problems in a 29-second call with no chance of being found out, would you?

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an advanced read in exchange for this review.  

Sarah is a young professor who has become the target of a renowned scholar, Alan.  Alan has inappropriately mistreated female colleagues for years, and this has gone unchallenged.  Sarah feels she has nowhere to turn.  

One evening, she witnesses a child abduction and intervenes.  The father is a successful man who offers her a once in a lifetime deal to pay his debt to her - he can make any problem disappear without a trace. 

I thought this book was a great read and perfect for the #metoo movement.  Who would not want revenge? Some of it (the parts with the father and the mafia) are a little hard to believe, but it is still an entertaining thriller.  Good read overall.

Stunning, amazing, addictive, not just a thriller but a THRILLER! This is definitely one of the best I have read in years! Sarah works in academia in the U.K. She is extremely bright and has a PHD. She has two young children but her husband has deserted her, possibly temporarily but she is not sure. Sarah’s boss, Alan, is a professor and valued by the university as he pulls in extensive funding. But, not only is he a misogynist, but possibly also a sociopath. He makes it known to Sarah that she can advance in her career if she is “nice” to him. One day, Sarah saves the life of a little girl and the girl’s father finds her and makes her a life-changing offer. He is obviously wealthy, powerful and very grateful to her. He tells her that, within the next three days, she can make a call, speak a name and that person will disappear forever. Can she? Will she? Does she? Many times I thought I had it worked out, then along comes a twist. Terrific, original story!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you for the advance copy! This is one of those books where I woukd find myself muttering about the storyline while trying to figure out the mystery (didn't see those twists coming!) Looking forward to more by this author!

An enjoyable thriller about choices and consequences. It kept my interest throughout, even though I found the premise a bit hard to believe and also found the protagonist’s actions (or lack of action) frustrating at times. Great vacation read!

T.M. Logan has written an outstanding thriller with 29 Seconds that explores what happens when a split second of decision has ramifications.

29 Seconds is a fast-paced thriller with a fabulously fulfilling twist of an ending!

Sarah is a young wife, mother, and professor wading through university politics, trying to honestly work her way up under a man who has quite a reputation with the female professors. Alan Hawthorne is powerful, wealthy and holds the key to large amounts of funding for the University. While his reputation is well known throughout the office, every woman that has ever spoken up is suddenly removed from her post, her career ruined. When he sets his sights on Sarah, she has no choice but to consider his advances or decide if she's willing to fight. After a moment of impulse leaves her in the debt of a man with dangerous connections and an offer of repayment, she has to make a choice. A chance to make all her problems disappear... with one 29-second phone call. Would you take it?

T.M. Logan blew me away with his debut novel, Lies and I was beyond excited to dive into 29 Seconds. His writing style is fast-paced, every chapter leaving you hanging on edge, making it impossible to put down! Quickly becoming one of my favorite authors - I can't wait to see what he shares next!

I really wanted to love this book because "Lies" was so jaw dropping good, but I didn't connect with this one the way I did with his last. I didn't connect with the characters, and the storyline while good, wasn't executed as well as I wished it had been.

With that being said, this was still a good psychological thriller and I would recommend it to readers. The writing was good, there was an element of suspense, and you really don't know what is going to happen. T.M. Logan is still a master story teller bringing something different to the table with his own way of brand of suspense.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is the story of Sarah, a professor, who is constantly sexually harassed by her boss. By chance, she saves the child of a wealthy man who has dangerous connections. He can give her reprieve from the unwanted attention, but should/could/would she take that chance?

This book was great, although it wasn't as good as Lies! The twists and turns had me completely enthralled, but some of it was a bit wishy washy, and I just wanted the main character to stand up and commit to what she wanted either way. It took her a long time throughout the book, but she eventually showed her strength. I'm not a fan of weak females, and I didn't like her very much for most of the book, but towards the end, she gained my admiration. I definitely wasn't expecting how it turned out!

Thank you #netgalley and #stmartinspress for an early copy of #29seconds.

Agonizing decisions kept me glued to this thriller. The ending was chilling in its suspense-filled conclusion. Characters are compelling and complicated and well blended between sincere and evil.

Dr. Sarah Haywood, PhD, professor, is up for promotion but her lecherous boss, Allan Hawthorne, is making her life miserable. When Sarah intervenes in an attempted child abduction she finds herself being offered a once in a life time opportunity. All it takes is a 29 Second Phone Call and someone she names will disappear forever. Can she live with the consequences of making the call or not making the call?

Definitely a 5/5!

This was a compelling, fast-paced thriller with an intriguing, original premise. If you had the power to make someone disappear, no consequences, would you do it? Many of us have probably wished for this sometime. I found the story intriguing, and it kept me riveted to my Kindle throughout the day.

Sarah, a bright, hardworking woman employed at a University is making no headway in her profession. Her boss is a misogynist sexual predator. He has a history of harassing and threatening women in the workplace that they will have no promotions and may be dismissed from their jobs with bad references unless they submit to his sexual advances. He has been protected from their complaints due to his ability to obtain large grants for the University.

Sarah is now targeted as his next victim. She is stressed and frightened. She has been bypassed for a promotion she had expected and knew she deserved. Next, she may lose her job by refusing him. She is separated from her husband, and her two young children are dependant on her.

One day she rescues a young girl who is being abducted on the street. The grateful father is a powerful billionaire with connections to dangerous men. He lives by the code to never be in someone’s debt, and he owes Sarah a debt that he insists on repaying. If Sarah gives him the name of one person he will make them disappear forever. This places Sarah in a quandary. She has the dilemma of carrying the guilt of making someone permanently disappear or endure an agonizing time in the workplace.

What does she decide and what are the consequences? This is just the setup for the story which has a slight lag in the centre. When things start to fall apart for her, she gets herself into a precarious situation in which she seems reckless and foolish. There is a brilliant twist at the conclusion that was not anticipated. I will be looking forward to the author’s future novels.
Thanks to NetGalley and Saint Martin's Press for the chance to read this ARC in return for an honest review.

An absolutely amazing novel with so many twists and turns about sexual harassment. There is no way you can put this book down and not pick it up again immediately! Absolute amazing and a very current storyline. Will be on the bestseller list for a long time!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview 29 Seconds by TM Logan. This is my second read by this author - I like him/her alot.
This book brings forth some touchy subjects - sexual harrassment, pornography, etc. If that makes you uncomfortble, this book is not for you. That is not to say it is a distasteful read, but some people just don't go there. So that being said - A young mother, Sarah, works at a university. She's a contract worker and she wants to become permanent. What is standing in the way is her boss, Alan. He is a complete idiot. He makes overtures toward Sarah, threatens her with her job, and tells her - sleep with me and you won't have any issues - don't sleep with me and you will be fired. Sarah needs this job. Her husband has left her for another woman and she is supporting her small children.
One day, Sarah witnesses a kidnapping and she saves the day. One of the kidnappers takes a picture of her car and liscense plate and now Sarah is seeing men watching her. As she is getting into her car, a man abruptly takes her and brings her to a warehouse - a man tells her that he is the father of the child she saved and now he is in her debt. He tells her - if there is anyone you want to disappear, it will be done. Sarah struggles with this decision and decides that yes, her boss should disappear. She is scared and then when he does disappear, Sarah is racked with guilt - did she do this?? But then Alan appears a few days later and he seems to know something is up with Sarah. Alan is smart enough to know that he can now get Sarah to do what he wants or else he will let the police know she was responsible for his disappearance.
What will Sarah do - keep her job and go along with Alan - or should she stand up and fight?
Good story - Fast paced and with the #metoo movement I think it is a winner.
3.5 stars - Recommend.

Thank you T.M Logan and NetGalley for my chance to read this. Breathtaking absolutely frickin’ amazing. So many twists and turns. Bloody amazing!
Would you make someone disappear if you could? What if you could never get caught? Would you? Could you? Could you live with yourself if you did! I loved this and will be recommending it to several people and Facebook groups! Thank you again!