Method 15/33

If you read thrillers, run and get your hands on a copy of Method 15/33 by Shannon Kirk. I did think twice about reading this one. Was I really in the mood for another abduction story? In this case, a pregnant sixteen year old is pulled into an old van and driven for days....and that's where it stops being like anything else I've read. The book opens with the girl alone in a locked room, carefully listing every asset and assigning it a number. She is determined to keep her baby safe, to escape, and to exact her revenge. I read straight through, turning pages to find out just who this girl was and what was going to happen to her. And was surprised when I thought the story was coming to an end and realized that I still had half of the book to go. (One of the quirks of reading things on the Kindle is that you don't have a constant physical indication of your progress.)

What a great read!

An incredible first novel with a heroine reminding me very much of Alan Bradley's Flavia de Luce, not just in her manipulative and dispassionate outlook and scientific precision but also in her surprisingly mature thought processes and her ability - in this case, genetic - to restrict her emotional reactions.

Although she may switch her emotions on and off, that doesn't prevent her feeling them, or feeling guilt or regret, so we never feel alienated by this strange narrator; rather, she allows us to watch - through her eyes - with amused detachment, while still firmly supporting her and rooting for her victory.

Her identity remains a mystery for most of the book, although you know that somehow she was rescued and survived because she's recalling the events of seventeen years ago, making the mystery *how* rather than *whether*. But if nothing else, she is a normal mother, fearing, loving and hoping as all good mothers do.

ARC to review.

Why don't we use the word "rip-roaring" anymore? Because this was one rip-roaring thriller and I adored it....not that it's the Great American Novel, but because I couldn't put it down.

The book is written in alternate, journalish points of view by a pregnant teenager who has been abducted and by the lead detective on her case. Oh, and the girl, our heroine is a sociopath. And the detective, our hero "sees" things in a way similar to hyperthymesia (those people who can remember what exactly what they were doing on March 12, 2000). There isn't much to say that wouldn't be spoilerish, since you know that it's a race against time story, but it's well-written, interesting, has wonderful secondary characters (I adored Lola and Boyd).

Thriller fan? Pick this one up when it's published. You definitely won't regret it.

Tense thriller about a kidnapped pregnant 16 year old. She's not meek and mild.....
Highly recommended!

I've never heard of this author before, but thought the book looked interesting so I gave it a shot. Turned out to be a very good book. I especially liked how the author described a captive's thinking process. Highly recommended. (I tried, but could not review this one on Amazon because it has not been released yet. I will be happy to put my review on Amazon if the publisher will e-mail me a reminder to do so after it is released.)

Loved this book!! Enthralling, gripping, and a page turner to the end!!

Now, here's a heroine to root for. Young, pregnant, and kidnapped you'd think she'd be at everyone's mercy. But happily, oh no that is not the case at all. The kidnappers picked the wrong girl in this case.

A smart thriller. Really enjoyed this.

Received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

Very rarely do I feel a book is worth five stars. After reading this one and being on the edge of my seat through the entire book (which is a very rare occurrence) I can say for certain that this book is superb. The writing is both intelligently weaved and brought to vivid life. The characters are unique and well fleshed out with quirks and abilities that are special yet believable. The plot may initially feel familiar but quickly becomes unique and intriguing. Overall this is a splendidly devised story that the reader won't forget.