Echo

Even though my boyfriend likes to read, he hates how distant I get when I really get involved in a book. If I can, I'll read all day long without a break, and he starts to feel neglected.

Welcome to the forum, Shell!!

Date of Publication: 2007, Bantam Books Number of Pages: 592 Synopsis (from back cover): A sixteen-year-old girl holds a gun to her head at the scene of a grisly triple homicide. She claims "The Stranger" killed her adoptive family, that he's been following her all her life, killing everyone she ever loved, and that no one believes her. But Special Agent Smoky Barrett does. Her team has been hand-picked from among the nation's elite law enforcement specialists and they are as obsessed and relentless as the psychos they hunt; they'll have to be to deal with this case. For another vicious double homicide reveals a killer embarked on a dark crusade of trauma and death: an "artist" who's molding Sarah into the perfect victim - and the ultimate weapon. To catch him, Smoky is going to have to put her own fragile, once-shattered life on the line. For The Stranger is all too real, all too close, and all too determined. And when he finally shows his face, Smoky had better be ready to face her worst fear. Review: This book was a wonderful, yet horrifying surprise for me. Having never read any other book by McFadyen, I didn't know what to expect from a main character named Smoky. I didn't know if this was going to be just another run-of-the-mill thriller, or something worse. but after reading the first three pages, I was immediately drawn into the story and I found myself intensely caring about Smoky, a woman who lost everything and yet gained a unique strength which carried her through the worst imaginable tragedy. It is this strength that Smoky relies upon as she delves further into sixteen-year-old Sarah's mysterious and unbelievable past. She also relies on her team, a mix of unusual and fun personalities who each bring something different to the investigation. My favorite was the striking redhead, Callie, whose "tell it like it is" mentality brought a breath of humor into the story that it very much needed, given that the bulk of it revolves around incredibly gory and horrific murders. The story centers on the idea of revenge, and also on the idea that something horrible happening to someone can change him or her into an evil person who is wholly bent on punishing those who, in their mind, are the ones responsible. The Stranger is single-mindedly pursuing and punishing people for his own tragic past. Sarah, as an innocent, is being molded in his image: A Ruined Life. His life was ruined, and now, so is Sarah's. The crimes, as they are described through Sarah's bitter diary, are simply horrible. I wept over the book more than once, and found myself holding my breath quite often during scenes of intense emotional torture and pain. That's why this book was a horrifying surprise: I loved it, but it still caused me physical pain. It's almost impossible not to react in this way to the story. It's the ultimate story of tragedy and loss, and of recovery and strength and new beginnings. Rating: 10/10

This sounds like the exception, rather than the rule for first-time authors. If it's even true as reported, which is doubtful.

I read at any time of the day, anywhere I happen to be. I'll read while on a break at work, during meals, in bed at night, in bed in the morning...really at anytime.

Unpack those books, if you haven't already! I just went through a move, and they were the first thing (after food) that I unpacked. Welcome to the forum!

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome to the forum! Wow, a lot of new members today!

Welcome to the forum, Heather!

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome to the forum!

Taco Bell!!

I got an ER book too....but I have no idea what, and I don't remember requesting it! Oh well.

I was interested to read your review of On the Road. I've taken a break from it right now. I'm enjoying it, but I also find it to be overwhelmingly masculine in its viewpoint.

Welcome!

Well, I just looked up their locations, and there's one across the bridge from us, so it would be about 15 minutes away. Close enough for me!!

What kind of spices do you use? I usually just put honey in it, but I'll try anything to get rid of the medicinal taste!

I LOVE Trader Joe's! I look forward to their Fearless Flyer and am so happy when it comes in the mail. There's one just down the street from me and I'm going to be sad to leave it when we move next week!

I've tried it and I have some, but to me, it tastes a little like cough syrup. I prefer green tea.

Welcome to the forum!

I loved horror and thrillers as a kid, and I still love them now. However, I've added fantasy, non-fiction, and contemporary fiction to my list of favorites now. I think my tastes have remained the same, but that they've expanded to include more mature genres.