Synopsis

In a globe-spanning chase, from the beer halls of Germany, to the tech gardens of California, to the skyscrapers of China, and finally the farmlands of Croatia, Aidan’s team cracks levels of high-tech security and complex human mystery with a dogged determination. Drawing in teammates from the Forensic Instincts team (introduced in The Girl Who Disappeared Twice), the Zermatt Group will uncover the Chinese businessmen responsible, find the traitors within NanoUSA who are helping them, and save Lauren from a brutal death.

 

Caveat: I have read, and thoroughly enjoyed, Andrea Kane’s Forensic Instincts’ series dating back to 2012. You can see my past reviews by clicking on the title: THE LINE FROM HERE AND GONE, THE MURDER THAT NEVER WAS, and A FACE TO DIE FORA FACE TO DIE FOR.

When I found out that a new book was in the works I patiently waited to get my hands on a copy thinking it was another book from the Forensic Instincts’ series. I soon realized that DEAD IN A WEEK introduces a new company, the Zermatt Group. Would this new group of characters, plot, settings, etc., be as great a read as her previous novels?

And Andrea Kane did not disappoint her readers that love the Forensic Instincts cast since they did have a hand in solving the case that the Zermatt Group is currently working on.

Aidan Devereaux founded the Zermatt Group 5 years ago, a covert operation, along with his team, Simone, Philip, and Terri. They don’t have boundaries, can’t be hired but they find cases that only they can solve using their experience and unlimited contacts around the world.

And this case involves the kidnapping of an American young college student, Lauren, in Germany. Her father, Vance Pennington, VP of a highly secure technology company, NanoUSA, doesn’t even know that his daughter has been taken until Aidan pays him a visit. Not only is this information terrifying, but they only have 1 week to find her or the kidnappers will kill her if what they want isn’t delivered.

I was very impressed with the details of this book with both the settings and the technology. The research had to have been meticulous, vast, and extremely thorough as the story takes place in different parts of the world.

The story hooked me from the very beginning and didn’t let go. I found my heart pounding faster and harder as the days slipped by and the clock was ticking. At times, I even found myself holding my breath due to the action. A thrilling read that had me on the edge of my seat!

The characters were amazing. And just a little hint…there was a familial connection to the Forensic Instincts.

Now to answer the question, would this new group of characters, plot, settings, etc., be as great a read as her previous novels? The answer is ABSOLUTELY! I can’t wait to see what is next for both the Zermatt Group and Forensic Instincts!

**Stop by tomorrow for Q&A with Andrea Kane**

Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 | Barnes & Noble 🔗 | Goodreads 🔗

REVIEW DISCLAIMER

This blog was founded on the premise to write honest reviews, to the best of my ability, no matter who from, where from and/or how the book was obtained, and will continue to do so, even if it is through PICT or PBP.

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review. No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.

I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. I am providing link(s) solely for visitors that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.

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Mailbox Monday

Sunday:
THE MCAVOY SISTERS BOOK OF SECRETS by Molly Fader ~ eBook from Harlequin via NetGalley
Tuesday:
NOT BAD PEOPLE by Brandy Scott ~ ARC TPB from William Morrow
PRIDE, PREJUDICE AND OTHER FLAVORS by Sonali Dev ~ ARC TPB from William Morrow
29 SECONDS by T.M. Logan ~ eBook from St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley
Wednesday:
ONCE A MIDWIFE by Patricia Harman ~ TPB from Reading With Robin
Thursday:
THE SUMMER WE LOST HER by Tish Cohen ~ eBook from Gallery Books via NetGalley
A CURVE IN THE ROAD by Julianne MacLean ~ eBook via Amazon Prime

Hosted by McGruffy’s Reader and 15 and Meowing

This week’s Fill-Ins:

1. I could live on an_____________________.

2. I rarely __________________, but when I do, ______________________.

3. I would most like to be known for _________.

4. If you want _________, you have to _________.

My answers:

1. I could live on the island of Aruba.

2. I rarely drink wine, but when I do, it’s Pinot Grigio.

3. I would most like to be known for being a loving spouse, mother, grandmother, and friend.

4. If you want achieve your goal, you have to work hard to get it.

Synopsis (via GR)

If there’s a healthy way to grieve, Erin Gaines hasn’t found it. After her husband’s sudden death, the runaway success of the tech company they built with their best friends has become overwhelming. Her nerves are frayed, she’s disengaged, and her frustrated daughter, Shorie, is pulling away from her. Maybe Erin’s friends and family are right. Maybe a few weeks at a spa resort in the Caribbean islands is just what she needs to hit the reset button…

Shorie is not only worried about her mother’s mental state but also for the future of her parents’ company. Especially when she begins to suspect that not all of Erin’s colleagues can be trusted. It seems someone is spinning an intricate web of deception—the foundation for a conspiracy that is putting everything, and everyone she loves, at risk. And she may be the only one who can stop it.

Now, thousands of miles away in a remote, and oftentimes menacing, tropical jungle, Erin is beginning to have similar fears. Things at the resort aren’t exactly how the brochure described, and unless she’s losing her mind, Erin’s pretty sure she wasn’t sent there to recover—she was sent to disappear.

My Thoughts

Hold onto your seat and don’t forget to breathe!

Five months ago, Erin Gaines lost her husband, Perry, and Shorie, her father in a tragic car accident. Perry, Erin, and their longtime friends Ben and Sabine Fleming were partners in a successful tech company that they created an app for a comprehensive personal budgeting app. But since that horrible day, things have gone downhill.

Erin is constantly working and the tension with her daughter is palpable. Shorie does not want to start college but wants to work full time at the company but Erin forbids it thinking that is what is best. But then, Erin isn’t her usual self and her family and friends feel that somethinging is drastically wrong with her especially since she is talking about selling the company. Her family and friends have an intervention due to her erratic behavior, including having blackouts, and suggest that she go to an exclusive rehab facility in the Caribbean so she can heal. She agrees but soon realizes something is wrong. Very wrong!

The story moved along holding my interest and then about halfway through the book, it went from 0 to 100 in a second and didn’t let up until the very last word.

Over the past year, I have been addicted to psychological thrillers and this book will definitely be on the top of my list. The intricate details that bring this story to a chilling close will have the reader picking their jaw up off the floor. At least it was the case for me.

This is the first book I have read by this author but I am already on the search for her other books.

I highly recommend it, but will give fair warning, once you pick it up be prepared to not being able to put it down!!

Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 | Barnes & Noble 🔗 | Goodreads 🔗

REVIEW DISCLAIMER

This blog was founded on the premise to write honest reviews, to the best of my ability, no matter who from, where from and/or how the book was obtained, and will continue to do so, even if it is through PICT or PBP.

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review. No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.

I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. I am providing link(s) solely for visitors that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.

Mailbox Monday

Wednesday:
WOMAN WITH A SECRET by Sophie Hannah ~ TPB from William Morrow
ALL THE BEAUTIFUL LIES by Peter Swanson ~ TPB from William Morrow
Thursday:
THE CUTTING ROOM by Ashley Dyer ~ ARC from William Morrow
GIRL IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR by Kelsey Rae Dimberg ~ ARC from William Morrow
Saturday:
BECAUSE YOU’RE MINE by Rea Frey ~ ARC TPB from St. Martin’s Press via GR win

This year, one of the Challenges I signed up for is Blog All About It, hosted by The Herd Presents. The guideline is basically a blogging prompt challenge. Each month there’s a different prompt that you can interpret as you’d like then create a blog post around it. The 2019 list of prompts can be seen here on my Challenge Page. I will be posting for this Challenge on the 2nd Saturday of each month.

This month’s prompt is: LUCK

We have a joke and saying in our family. If it wasn’t for bad luck, we wouldn’t have any luck at all.

Lottery tickets and/or gambling have been bought or played maybe a handful of times. We take our vacations in Aruba, and every hotel has a casino. I think out of the last 12 trips, we entered the casino 2 or 3 times. And people laugh at me because if I do go, I go with only $40. and if I lose that, I’m done. I would much rather spend it on something else. However, in the last year I have won some books from GoodReads, which for me, is the best luck.

Even health wise I haven’t been that lucky. With over 30 surgeries, 8 of them on my back, 5 on my knees and multiple medical conditions, I would say not much luck there. However, even with that, I do consider myself Blessed and grateful because I know, and been taught by my Mom, that there is always someone else worse than me. Plus the fact that the last back operation in 2014, which was a 3 day operation that had a total of 5 incisions, I am able to stand straight and not needing to rely on a cane.

Where I am lucky, which IMO I have won the biggest lottery there is, is my family!!

My husband and I will be celebrating our 38th wedding anniversary next month. We have 2 phenomenal sons, I know I am biased, but they are.

Our oldest graduated college and presently studying for his Master’s, was hired within 3 months of graduating in his field with a major company, and bought a house on his own.

Our youngest graduated college with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Engineering, is married, just bought their forever home, and has 2 daughters, that are our sunshine and have a big chunk of our hearts.

So yes, I am very lucky!!

Hosted by McGruffy’s Reader and 15 and Meowing

This week’s Fill-Ins:

1. I am always ____________________.

2. I brake for ______________________

3. I’d be lying if I said _________.

4. _________ wins the race.

My answers:

1. I am always within a hand’s reach of a book.

2. I brake for all the right reasons especially since I am a heavy foot on the gas driver.

3. I’d be lying if I said that I’m not still on cloud nine with the birth of our 2nd granddaughter!.

4. The fastest wins the race.

Mailbox Monday

Tuesday:
THE FIRST MISTAKE by Sandie Jones ~ eBook from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley
Thursday:
THE BURIED GIRL by Richard Montanari ~ Print galley from Harper Collins/Witness Impulse