A glaring reminder that you should always change the locks when you buy a new home.

I know writers want there to be a sense of mystery in their books, but waiting too long to give valid clues can be a turn-off.

**Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the advanced copy for my honest review**

Closing Costs by Bracken MacLeod is a suspenseful story about a young couple who get more than they bargained for in their new house. Nelle and Evan find their peaceful Saturday shattered when an intruder enters their home and holds them hostage. As events unfold, it becomes clear that this is not a random psycho. Nelle and Evan must try to stay alive and figure out how to escape this situation that they don’t understand.

Overall, the book was entertaining but it wasn’t really anything special. The characters were ok and the story did keep you moving but the last third was pretty unbelievable.

I received a complimentary copy of Closing Costs from NetGalley.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

First, I must point out that I may never have heard of a more fitting, multiple meaning book title in my life! Excellent book! I very literally and physically felt Nelle’s fear, yet still couldn’t put it down. Even though some of the situation she and her husband Evan found themselves in was highly unlikely, in their beautiful, prestigious, new home, I feel like the realistic description of the events in this book could definitely allow for a sequel...as I know I would NEVER feel safe again and would always be looking over my shoulder! (This one could also be a gripping movie!)

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Closing Costs.
3 Stars
Enjoyable read. Jumped right into the story, which I really liked. It did seem a bit predictable but still a thriller.

Mystery/thriller novel. Nelle and Evan have just purchased a dream home that seems beyond their means. Through twists and turns between a home invasion where the couple is held captive, and flash backs filling in the story, we learn just how they come by the money for the home purchase. Dual evil yet unrelated forces are after the couple held hostage in their dark cellar.

Closing Costs by Bracken MacLeod is a spine-tingling book from page one and the intensity of the plot makes you wonder if closing on a home is worth the price especially if you have encountered a windfall. This offering is a suspenseful creation.

Fast paced survivor story of a home invasion. If you have a hard time reading violence and foul language this isn't for you. There are multiple story lines and timelines, but the chapter headings tell you the time and the back story to Nelle and Evan buying a home out of the city. The house is also a character here too. It is a page turner wanting to see how it ends. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers of an advanced reading copyfor an honest opinion.

In Closing Costs, homeowners Nelle and Evan find themselves at the center of a very nasty home invasion situation. It's a face-paced read that starts off quickly then weaves in flashbacks to give backstory and character development, and to build suspense. It's well-written, and engaging.

There are portions of the book that are far-fetched; if an authentic, this-could-really-happen feel is important for you in a thriller, you might find this one too much of a stretch. The villains are fairly one-note, so if that bothers you, again this might not be for you. But for me this book was akin to watching a James Bond movie--I know most of it isn't going to happen in the real world, but it's cool to just buckle in and enjoy going where it takes me. So if you're looking for an exciting thriller to throw yourself into and are willing to go along for the ride, you'll have an enjoyable experience here.


Thanks to Bracken MacLeod, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and NetGalley for the chance to read this book.

Braden Macleaod has been hit or miss for me so far. This book was very much a hit! It is difficult to write an entire book about events that take place over just a few hours but this author does a great job.. This book is non stop action. I can't wait to read his next offering.

I must admit, when I read the premise for this book and seeing the title, I was very intrigued as to what type of story this was going to turn out to be. I’m pleasantly pleased to say, for me, this book was right up my alley. Closing Costs meet Pulp Fiction 2.0 for real. Wow, what a different type of story!

For all you homeowners out there, do you recall the first time you purchased a house? I know I can recall all the details with defined clarity that’s how proud I was to buy my first home. For those of you who haven’t embarked on the road to homeownership, all I can tell you is, when you go through it, you’ll know how it feels. I felt like I was signing my life away. There were papers among more papers and even more papers and there was an assembly line of sorts as we each passed papers around signing off. That’s exactly how Nelle and Evan felt when purchasing their first home. They were so excited, terrified, relieved and proud all at the same time. Yep, that’s the feeling of buying your first home.

And, let’s not forget, Nelle and Evan moved out of their apartment to a very prestigious neighborhood in Massachusetts. Nelle worked in a funeral home and had pretty much seen every type of deceased human that was possible. She happened to work on one in particular that would change the course of her life in a major way.

Nelle was taking a shower in her new expensive home and about to make some coffee, when she realized her husband wasn’t home. She assumed he went out to grab some groceries at the market, when she noticed her husband’s phone was still on the counter. Why on earth wouldn’t he take his phone? She went outside to look around and came back inside when she caught movement out of the side of her eye. Surely, Evan had finally come home and was going to surprise her. However, unfortunately for Nelle, the surprise she got wasn’t her husband at all, but rather an intruder she did not know. What did this man want? Where was Evan? This guy was coming at her with such speed, her mind didn’t have time to process what was happening. She decided to fight for her life, in which she did. She put up a great fight, but this intruder was bigger and much stronger. The next thing she knows, she’s tied up in her basement staring at a man that she thought she’d seen before, but couldn’t quite place her finger on where? And that, readers, is where this insane story begins to take form.

OMG!!! When I tell you I was glued to the pages, I was completely within my element. I was so engrossed in the story of Nelle and Evan. I must warn you though. If you’re the type of reader who doesn’t enjoy reading violent content, blood and guts, you may want to pass this one up. This story gets pretty darn violent. Woo Wee! The violent scenes were detailed very well. Normally, when some authors write out fight scenes, they don’t always mesh in the mind’s eye. But trust me when I tell you, MacLeod was able to put you in the damn driver’s seat for sure. I felt every punch, pull, scratch and bite. After having read this story, I decided to read up on the author and I soon discovered that he’s a martial arts teacher. And it most definitely shows in his writing. I was stunned with how well he wrote those scenes.

Overall, this was a pretty decent read. I’m sure not everyone will agree with my opinion. It takes a certain type of mind to read these types of stories and being a writer myself, I pretty much imagine all kinds of things to do to my characters, so violence and strong language isn’t something that bothers me. Not every story is going to be presented to you as a gift in a box with a bow. It’s just not going to happen, and that’s ok. You like what you like, and I definitely liked this book because it was different, and I enjoy different.

Reader beware though, it does contain lots of violence, sexual situations and profanity. If you’re not the squeamish type of reader, I most certainly would advise you give this a try. It’s well written and will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thanks for the ARC copy from NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. I thought the story of a home invasion would provide an interesting backdrop and I was anticipating a really suspenseful thriller. The book began with great potential but I found it to begin dragging towards the middle and there were quite a few parts that I felt were very unrealistic, I won't ruin the ending! Good book for killing time in an airport or on the beach.

It was a little slow to start but was good later in the book . I felt plot was good and well paced and overall and enjoyable read .

This was a great, fast-moving book. It was easy to read, kept me interested and above all not lagging, no, boring ‘get on with the story’ pages. I expected a different ending with maybe a big surprise but would still recommend.

I was lucky to receive an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and opinions. I loved the description of this book and was really expecting a story line that kept me on the edge of my seat. I can't say I loved it but didn't hate it - just sort of meh. It’s a satisfying story however I felt that there were several parts of the story that are just far fetched. It's a quick, easy read. I would for sure try this author again if given the opportunity as his writing style was good.

This was the most fast paced, engaging novel I've read on a very long time. Trust me when I say it felt a little slow at the start but that changes quickly. It's a creepy, suspense thriller you won't want to put down.

I found this novel difficult to stop reading! The plot had many unexpected twists with unending action! I enjoyed this story and highly recommend it to mystery readers!

Really great premise. I enjoy a hostage book with the reader trying to figure out the ending and the why and what the secrets are. Liked he story and the plot but it got a bit muddied with the multiple timelines and drudgery. I think it could have been tied up easier and better character development

Good premise. Pulls you in enough that I finished the whole thing on a recent trip between the airport and the plane. It’s a satisfying story however I do have to admit that there are several parts of the story that are just seriously far fetched. But all in all it’s an enjoyable read.

It started off pretty interesting, and I was excited to read. Unfortunately, it went down hill when the different timelines started happening. The home buying process was drawn out and boring. And the story was just too easy to guess. It was very obvious that they were gonna have issues with Mack from the moment they were told he didn’t want the divorce and has to sell. I knew it was him watching them when they looked at the house. Also, the stereotypical bad guy Russians coming to get their money back not really surprising either. Unfortunately, too many minor detail things were drawn out, the story didn’t have enough original elements to it, and the suspense just wasn’t there for me. Thank you, for the opportunity to read. I would consider trying the authors work in the future, he could be a good storyteller this one just didn’t work.

I really enjoyed this book. Character development was good. The plot was very interesting. Not a lot of typos.