Vincent Zandri

Warning: If you are not a fan of blood and gore than you have been warned. Although, I will tell you that the blood and gore is minimum.

The horror is not so much in the blood or gore but in the suspense. Yet, you might want to read this book with the lights on. If you thought your fears of the Boogeyman was over; after reading this book they just might come back.

This is the second book in this trilogy. I have not read the first book, yet it did not de-track from my experience reading this show more book. In fact, I had a good idea of what happened in the first one as this story was somewhat connected to the prior novel. Again, however I did not find it necessary to have read the first one prior to reading this book. After finishing this book, I do plan to go back and read the first one. Additionally, as this is a trilogy and that means three books, I can't wait to read the third one as well.

After enduring the horrific ordeal that Rebecca did in the prior novel, it would have been easy for her to just lay down and give up. Rebecca was not the strongest female but she was still strong when it counted the most. I hope to see Rebecca come out the ultimate survivor in the third book. Mr. Zandri has just gained a new fan in me. The Ashes is just what the doctor ordered for horror fans! show less

This is a psychological suspense at its best, one that plays with the mind of the protagonist and also with the one of its readers.

Not everything is as it seems

Sidney “Doc” O’Keefe is free after being incarcerated for 10 years in a maximum-security for a murder he did not commit. He needs a change in pace so with his wife and daughter he heads to Lake Placid but soon things turned ugly when his daughter is abducted from the beach just steps away from their hotel room. Sid thinks his show more old crime boss Mickey Rabuffo to be behind the act. Unfortunately, with his history of violence both in and out of jail Sid becomes the prime suspect. With nowhere to go Sid and Penny (wife) decide to take matters in their hands…Is this a mistake? Both are led down a path too convoluted to discover the truth. What a story.

This is a classic noir writing style at its best. Told from Sid’s point of view, he is a simple man driving by his unwavering love for his daughter. We immediate feel a connection with him. I loved him and rooted for him hoping all would end well.

This story needs full attention, Mr. Zandi knows how to execute twists that seem to lead somewhere but just when you thought you had it all figured it out and knew where he is going with his next move, he throws a curve to derail us and teases us with something new. I couldn’t resist turning the pages to see what would happen next. What a smart and cunning drama. The words are perfectly weaved to grab from the start and not let go. We have many chase scenes, lots of violence, blood and gore to make this not only an intense and captivating read but also a cinematic page-turner hard to put down. What a conspiracy is played out here.

And by the end:

Was this saga the fruit of Sid’s fertile imagination ……an illusion of some kind...the question is up for debate....well-done.

I received a digital copy of this book from Oceanview Publishing via Netgalleys for my thoughts show less

Well it's pretty hard not to love a Vincent Zandri book and this one does not disappoint. The stories are never the 'norm' and the characters are people you can't help but like. I even liked the killer. Maybe admired his creativity is a better way to say it. I would look like a horrible person if I liked the killer! I was not sure I would like this book with the story revolving so much around a video game but I got hooked. The action never stops.

I thought the murderer forcing his victims to show more scream while he recorded it for use in his real life video games was amazing. I also sat on the edge of my seat reading about Jude trying to stay alive when he was thrown into one of those games. Imagine what Jude was feeling when he was in the midst of that "game" fighting for his life, literally and knowing that the wrong move would be the end of you and your family! Add to that having to disarm a bomb for good measure! Oh yeah, Jude has a problem with freezing up in times of crisis which is why he left the police force in the first place. So, he also has to find a way to overcome these overpowering feelings while staying alive! Can you say heart pounding? Trust me, yours will be pounding along with your fists clenching and your teeth being gnawed down from clenching them together in anticipation of what is to come!

A must read for any thriller lover. Thank you Mr. Zandri, you have done it again! show less

In regards, to a shorter novel from this author, I did like this book. It was a quick read. Yet, it had a good storyline, engaging characters, and moved at a fast pace.

You might want to hate Ike. Even say that he brought the trouble to his doorstep but as I got to know him and see how much he really cared and loved his family; I could not hate or blame him. In fact, you could say he was one of those men that were changed once he had a child. Henry is a bright spot in this book. Allison is show more definitely a scorned woman. She brings a whole new level to "crazy".

The most action is in the last third of the story. It is where Ike's skills as a bomb expert is tested by Allison's bomb expertise. There are some intense moments. Which, the story is wrapped up nicely by the end. I did enjoy this book. show less