Note: Every Wednesday, Sally and I hope to feature a book that one of us is reading–or a piece from my own writing. We’ll also be giving away a book or two or a box of them!
THE HIGHWAY by CJ Box
Purchased at Murder on the Beach, Delray Beach, FL
I will never ever stop at a truck stop again. Nope. No way. Not after reading THE HIGHWAY by CJ Box. And what’s so weird is that I’ve met CJ–we were guests at Murder and Mayhem in Muskego–and he seemed like such a sweet man. How could he have thought up such a horrifying plot?
Sigh.
I guess there was a lot of angst brewing under that big cowboy hat.
BACK COVER COPY for THE HIGHWAY:
When two sisters set out across a remote stretch of Montana road to visit their friend, little do they know it will be the last time anyone might ever hear from them. The girls–and their car–simply disappear.
Former police investigator Cody Hoyt has just lost his job and has fallen off the wagon after a long stretch of sobriety. Convinced by his son and his former rookie partner, Cassie Dewell, to conduct a search, he begins the drive south to the girls’ last known location. As Cody makes his way to the lonely stretch of Montana highway where they were missing, Cassie discovers that Gracie and Danielle Sullivan aren’t the first girls who have disappeared in this area. This majestic landscape is tha hunting ground for a killer who viciousness is outmatched only by his intelligence. And he might not be working alone.
Time is running out for Gracie and Danielle. Can Cassie overcome her doubts and lack of experience and use her innate skill? Can Cody Hoyt battle his own demons and stop this killer before another victim vanishes on THE HIGHWAY?
CONTEST:
Tell us what book scared the bejeebers out of you! You have until midnight, Sunday, September 1. We’ll use the random number generator and pick a commenter to win Joanna’s autographed copy of THE HIGHWAY. (I think there’s a smudge of blueberry jam on one page and one corner is dented because I was juggling too much stuff and dropped the book. Otherwise, it’s pristine!)
I have a love/hate relationship with The Highway–great writing, but he broke some major "rules." Of course, he can get away with it, and the writing does make up for it. I was driving to Denver to see him after reading the book, and I gave all semis a wide berth on the 192 mile trip.
As for being scared, it was a short story by Cindy Gerard in the SEAL anthology that had my heart thumping even though I knew the character wasn't going to drown. I was gasping for breath. Wish I remembered the title.
Terry
Terry's Place
Terry, what rules did he break? Endangering the girls? Please share.
Joanna — absolutely not. I'm not going to provide spoilers for the book. People will have to read it. All I'll say is I shouted a loud "NO!" when I got to the end of chapter 25–enough so Hubster said, "What's Wrong!"
(And since I have a copy of the book, feel free to eliminate me from your giveaway).
Terry
Terry's Place
A novel that was compelling and gripping but frightening as well was The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen.
A Memorable thriller that was unique was Whiteout by Ken Follett.
Petite, do you know that when Tess submitted that, her agent didn't realize she was a doctor? Yep, it's true. You're right. It's a scary book.
Traveler, I haven't read that, but I'll put it on my TBR list! Thanks!
When I was just a young teen (many years ago) a neighbor stopped at our home one evening to talk with my Dad. Our family used to go to his farm fairly often to see his animals and to feed them occasionally. This man knew that I loved animals, but didn't like snakes, spiders and the like. He came into our house that night and had something behind his back, and told me that he had something for me. Of course I figured it was another cute little farm animal, but instead it was a bat that had hit his windshield and was not among the living anymore. But, I did NOT know that as the wings were outstretch and the mouth was wide open and it was scary beyond words for a 13 year old. That has stuck with me forever and to this day as much as I know that bats can control the insect population, and do other good deeds, I do NOT want to ever have an encounter like that again. Our neighbor thought that my fright was hysterical of course, but he never did anything like that again. Guess my screams deafened him for awhile, so he knew better.