Portrait painter Kenny Drummond learns that he will die of a brain tumor in a few weeks. He has relatives and friends to reach out to, and he does, but his focus is on the people he believes that he owes. He makes a list. The last name on that list is the little girl who was his only friend in the English version of upper elementary school. He learns that she married, was abused by her husband, and then disappeared, with the husband the only suspect. Drummond is neither a detective, a kidnapper, or a torturer, but he does what he must, in the true British manner. This was not a sweet, charming story, but a plausible psychological thriller with convincing twists and characters that you understood, even the bad ones. ( )

Six weeks. That’s the sum total of life remaining for Kenny Drummond who has inoperable brain cancer. He is a portrait artist. Mary is his ex-wife. He gives her the portraits he’d created of her. She knows something is wrong, but Kenny decides to keep it to himself – at least for now. As he thinks back on his life, he makes a list of people he feels he’s let down. They are: Mary; Mr. Jeganathon; Thomas Kintry; and Callie Barton. He only has six weeks to make it right.

He manages to resolve most matters to his satisfaction, but then there’s Callie. She had been his best friend when they were in junior school together. Then one day she just disappeared from class. He was told she moved. Now in present day, he wants to find her so he hires Pat Maxwell, a local and the closest thing they have to a PI. She finds good news and bad news for Kenny. She confirmed Callie’s parents had moved to London. However, in 2004, she’d been hospitalized with a broken wrist and cracked ribs. This info was in the police file. Callie didn’t press charges. Her husband was suspect. Kenny goes to seek justice for Callie. He tracks down her husband, Jonathan Reese.

This story took place near Bristol in South West England. As a psychological thriller, it certainly held my interest. Kenny and Mary had divorced. She remarried Stever five years before and they had two children. They are all close friends. Kenny and Mary even still say “I love you” to each other. I know that brain tumors can change one’s personality, but I found some of the changes to be somewhat unlikely. Additionally, in one scene, Kenny managed to ‘vault’ over furniture. If he was becoming weak as it was portrayed, he would not be able to ‘vault’ over anything. My rating for Captured is 3.5 out of 5. ( )

This is a fairly brutal psychological thriller and if you like that kind of thing you will like this book. I am not overly enthusiastic. The three stars are for the technical competence of the writing.

I received an advance review copy of "Captured" by Neil Cross (Open Road Integrated Media) through NetGalley.com. ( )

A quick and easy murder mystery. The basic plot is interesting and there are a couple of surprises, but the ending and the characters leave the reader feeling empty. Although that may be the point. I kept picturing Javier Bardem as one of the characters. The author nails the suspenseful scenes. For readers of dark murder mysteries.

Net Galley Feedback ( )

It was a slow starter but it slowly gained momentum. I can't remember a story more different than this one. Not only was it a good mystery but a study of what could go wrong in some people. I don't want to give anything away because it would ruin it. I must say that this is well worth the read. Don't put it down because you will get hooked. ( )