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The Blue Zone
by
Andrew Gross (Goodreads Author)
From the number one "New York Times" bestselling coauthor of "Judge & Jury" and "Lifeguard" comes this electrifying solo debut, "The Blue Zone."
Kate Raab's life seems almost perfect: her boyfriend, her job, her family . . . until her father runs into trouble with the law. His only recourse is to testify against his former accompli
...moreCompact Disc, 0 pages
Published
April 17th 2007
by HarperAudio
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Rating: 3.5* of five
Told from the PoV of the daughter of a nasty criminal, this is one fast book. My hair blew back from the speed I was turning pages, and I don't have a lot of hair. (Unless you count my shoulders. Oh, and back. They don't blow around so much, though.) I was awake an entire night finishing the book, and am I glad I did!
So, the girl in question is in her first year at Snazzmatazz U, thinking her life is about perfect: Daddy's rich, kind, attentive, and mommy'...more
Told from the PoV of the daughter of a nasty criminal, this is one fast book. My hair blew back from the speed I was turning pages, and I don't have a lot of hair. (Unless you count my shoulders. Oh, and back. They don't blow around so much, though.) I was awake an entire night finishing the book, and am I glad I did!
So, the girl in question is in her first year at Snazzmatazz U, thinking her life is about perfect: Daddy's rich, kind, attentive, and mommy'...more
Everything in Kate Raab's life seems perfect. She has an amazing family, an invigorating job straight out of college, and a boyfriend she adores. Then a phone call changed everything. Her father, a successful businessman, a man she has always trusted and admired, is in trouble with the law. He's innocent, he insists, but the only way out of this is his testimony against his accomplices and the immediate placement of the family deep inside the Witness Protection Program. He accepts, and everyone ...more
THE BLUE ZONE is a rather pedestrian thriller, but if you like the work of James Patterson or Harlen Coben you won't be too disappointed, yet you most likely will not be thrilled.
The title refers to a classification within the Witness Protection Program (WITSEC). "Blue Zone" means that a subject's new identity has been blown, and is no longer under the protection of the program. THE BLUE ZONE relates the tale of a happy American family that is essentially destroyed because o...more
The title refers to a classification within the Witness Protection Program (WITSEC). "Blue Zone" means that a subject's new identity has been blown, and is no longer under the protection of the program. THE BLUE ZONE relates the tale of a happy American family that is essentially destroyed because o...more
Die Story klingt nicht wirklich neuartig, die Verpackung ist in meinen Augen eher abschreckend. Dennoch habe ich das Buch in die Hand genommen und war nach dem Reinblättern überzeugt, daß es sich um spannende und ausgefeilte Unterhaltung handeln dürfte. Und ich wurde nicht enttäuscht!
Das Buch ist in insgesamt fünf Teile eingeteilt, die wiederum in mehrere Kapitel, die teilweise sehr knapp daherkommen. Das macht das Buch szenenhaft kurz und lässt bald filmartige Bilder im Kopf ablaufen...
...more
Das Buch ist in insgesamt fünf Teile eingeteilt, die wiederum in mehrere Kapitel, die teilweise sehr knapp daherkommen. Das macht das Buch szenenhaft kurz und lässt bald filmartige Bilder im Kopf ablaufen...
...more
Kate Raab is 23 years old and life is perfect. She has a close relationship with her parents and siblings, a loving boyfriend, Greg, and a promising career as a biologist. Then things start to go wrong: her father is arrested for racketeering; he has to testify against a Columbian drug cartel; her family has to abandon their wealthy lifestyle and enter the FBI’s Witness Protection Program. Allowed no contact, Kate learns to live without them: at least she has Greg to love and support her. But, j...more
If part one doesn't grab and hold you hostage, you might just be brain dead. What an exciting beginning! Benjamin Raab (Kate's father) is arresting on RICO charges and like a house of cards, his whole life crumbles taking his wife and three children with it. Kate refuses to enter the Witness Protection Program and loses contact with the rest of her family until the proverbial shit hits the fan and her father disappears.
The plot is complex and deftly crafted to keep you on the edge ...more
The plot is complex and deftly crafted to keep you on the edge ...more
As any sardonic old-time native New Yorker would know, if you're from NYC, you don't call 6th Avenue "Avenue of the Americas," no matter what the street signs say. So, first page, Chapter One, we're introducted to one of the main characters, whose office is on 47th and 6th, which the author calls "Avenue of the Americas." Oh well, disappointing start, but then again, the author lives in Westchester and not in The City, so what does he know? This particular main character i...more
We Patterson fans probably all remember/recognize Mr. Gross' name alongside Mr. Patterson's on several of his novels (think: "Women's Murder Club).
With this novel, 'The Blue Zone', Mr. Gross leaps out of what must be a pretty comfy nest and makes his solo author debut! *insert applause here* as, in my humble opinion, IT IS ABOUT TIME! lol
Really good book with an excellent storyline/plot that I found easy to follow along with strong, well developed characters. No spoiler...more
With this novel, 'The Blue Zone', Mr. Gross leaps out of what must be a pretty comfy nest and makes his solo author debut! *insert applause here* as, in my humble opinion, IT IS ABOUT TIME! lol
Really good book with an excellent storyline/plot that I found easy to follow along with strong, well developed characters. No spoiler...more
I don't know how this book escaped the New York Times bestseller list, because it's absolutely terrific! Anyone who likes thrillers in the style of James Patterson will love The Blue Zone. In fact, it was James Patterson who gave Gross his start by inviting him to co-author six of his books! The Blue Zone is the first solo performance of Andrew Gross. He has since written four more.
The story follows 23 year-old Kate, a medical researcher, whose life and whose family's lives are ...more
The story follows 23 year-old Kate, a medical researcher, whose life and whose family's lives are ...more
Seizure Romero
rated it
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
people who are surprised by things like the sun rising and gravity
Meh.
James Patterson says this is "a tense and chilling thriller." That statement, like much of Patterson's writing, is overrated. Since Gross is someone who Pattersonleans on to churn out pap has written a few books with, it seems to me his recommendation should be viewed with a somewhat jaundiced eye.
This book isn't terrible, it just isn't that good. And really, that ending was visible miles off.
James Patterson says this is "a tense and chilling thriller." That statement, like much of Patterson's writing, is overrated. Since Gross is someone who Patterson
This book isn't terrible, it just isn't that good. And really, that ending was visible miles off.
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I bought this book from a bargain bin thinking it looked OK. As soon as I started reading this fine debut solo book, I had to remark how great a buy this was.
The plot is fast paced with numerous plot twists. The author clearly thought out the storyline with great attention to making it a great thriller. I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys thrillers and mysteries.
The characters can be felt through the writing. You may think you understand a character but watch out - y...more
The plot is fast paced with numerous plot twists. The author clearly thought out the storyline with great attention to making it a great thriller. I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys thrillers and mysteries.
The characters can be felt through the writing. You may think you understand a character but watch out - y...more
All the other reviews seem pretty positive about this one. For my money it's just about the worse book I can ever remember reading, especially when he does that really annoying thing modern American thriller writers all seem to do these days, you know, when they put what they consider to be the really important bits/suprising bits/shocking bits in italics. However, it IS a fast read, and it IS quite an interesting plot. I will finish it (shouldn't take much longer) but won't bother with another ...more
I've come down with a cold this last week. I took Thursday off work to try to rest and get better, but I don't think it really helped. I still feel like I've got a pool cue ball lodged at the top of my throat and it's not a very pleasant feeling.
Yesterday, this somewhat painful and uncomfortable sensation in my throat begat the beginnings of a scratchy cough and I knew (actually, my wife knew) once I tried to lay down in bed and go to sleep, that scratchy cough would become a p...more
The Blue Zone has got to be one of the best novels that I read, that intriqued me. Its is set in present day, and the plot is about a family who is in the Withness program. I usually do not read mysteries, but the book intriqued me to read it.
What did I learn from this book, you never really know a person, if that person chooses to deceive you. And that is what her father did. He wanted access into the Witness Protection program so he could kill his brother who had been hiding under a assu...more
What did I learn from this book, you never really know a person, if that person chooses to deceive you. And that is what her father did. He wanted access into the Witness Protection program so he could kill his brother who had been hiding under a assu...more
I'm not sure what possessed me to buy this book, but I am glad that I did. This doesn't fit into most of my usual genre's of books, but I really enjoyed it. I am actually going to recommend this to my father (an avid reader) and my fiance.
This story had a great lead female role who was believable in every way. I even found myself laughing out loud at some of the things she said because they were so true, and in other cases I kept nudging my fiance and saying "Look he's writin...more
This story had a great lead female role who was believable in every way. I even found myself laughing out loud at some of the things she said because they were so true, and in other cases I kept nudging my fiance and saying "Look he's writin...more
Abandoned this at the 50 page stage. I remember now why I can't take this guy's books. Every time someone speaks they say the name of the person they're speaking to, sometimes more than once in the same sentence. It drives me batty! In real life you don't say, "Hello, Paul. How are you today, Paul? Did you see the stockmarket's taken a turn for the worse, Paul."
This supposedly famous writer does it ALL THE TIME. Where are the editors/copy editors?
This supposedly famous writer does it ALL THE TIME. Where are the editors/copy editors?
Fun to read. Not terribly hard to piece together but somewhat suspenseful, at times.
I cringed each time one character called another character "Baby". Ugh! It seemed to happen a lot.
Kate, the main character, seemed rather naive throughout the book and didn't seem to catch on to the seriousness of her situation but, still, it was a fun mystery thriller.
This book won't rock your world but it's still pretty good.
I cringed each time one character called another character "Baby". Ugh! It seemed to happen a lot.
Kate, the main character, seemed rather naive throughout the book and didn't seem to catch on to the seriousness of her situation but, still, it was a fun mystery thriller.
This book won't rock your world but it's still pretty good.
This book really pulled me in. It was a fairly quick read for me. Granted when i read it I was in my freshman year of high school, so I was reading stuff i hadn't learned about yet. I didn't want to put it down, I really enjoyed it. I agree with some that it isn't a life-changing book, however i think it definitely has enough mystery and thriller moments that you can get pretty sucked in.
A fantastic read. Kate Raab's life completely implodes after a devestating family revelation, but despite spending a year in hiding nobody is safe, and they are all being hunted.
This is a great book, populated by believable characters and a wonderfully vulnerable yet brave heroine. Plenty of twists and turns and a well judged twist keep the reader fixed until the very last page. Andrew Gross has produced a top thriller that would translate well to the big screen.
This is a great book, populated by believable characters and a wonderfully vulnerable yet brave heroine. Plenty of twists and turns and a well judged twist keep the reader fixed until the very last page. Andrew Gross has produced a top thriller that would translate well to the big screen.
This book isn't life changing or a particularly brilliant piece of fiction, but it is a damn good story told by a writer with a good voice who quickly grips you with the story of Kate Raab. Okay some of the twists are badly foreshadowed and the writing can be clunky in places, but for me reading is about getting lost in the characters story and this book manages that easily.
Excellent book from someone who wrote a few best sellers with my favorite author James Patterson. This book asks and answers the question, "Do we really know someone?"
Does the truth really matter? Family must come first, but which family?
Blue Zone is a page turner in the classic Patterson fashion. I look forward to reading more of Andrew's writing.
Does the truth really matter? Family must come first, but which family?
Blue Zone is a page turner in the classic Patterson fashion. I look forward to reading more of Andrew's writing.
I started off reading this book as a "time filler" until I got my next book I ordered in the mail. I was pleasantly surprised how good of a read it turned out to be.
This story is full of surprises, twists & turns...many people aren't who they seem to be. The main character, Kate, is determined to find out what is behind her father's actions and who he really is....
This story is full of surprises, twists & turns...many people aren't who they seem to be. The main character, Kate, is determined to find out what is behind her father's actions and who he really is....
it was an interesting exploration of the witness protection program, and the columbian drug cartel with its members who swore lifelong loyalty to their "family", and a portait of the daughter finding her father was not (or was he?) who he had always seemed to be..... fast paced, but at the end I was somewhat left unsatisfied,,,,
This book was totally enjoyable with twists and turns and an ending I didn't figure out. I also appreciated the fact that it wasn't 500-700 pages long which seems to be the length of books I've been reading lately. This one was one I could spend a dreary day with and finish before going to sleep.
Despite some flaws (characters that didn't make sense, some clumsy plotting, obvious conclusion etc), it was a reasonably fast read. However, my criteria is whether I would go out of my way to read another book- and the answer is no.
However, it could be a quick pick for reading on a flight.
However, it could be a quick pick for reading on a flight.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
THE BLUE ZONE by Andrew Gross
I'm out of the blue zone......I so loved this book, Andrew Gross's first book was a masterpiece at it's best! Did I say that I loved this book? Well I did! I couldn't get enough of it. The story line was phenomenal, non-stop excitement from start to finish! I love how he writes. Very very well written! I wanted to story to continue but I'm glad that the Blue Zone had good closer at the end! This is a must read for any Patterso...more
THE BLUE ZONE by Andrew Gross
I'm out of the blue zone......I so loved this book, Andrew Gross's first book was a masterpiece at it's best! Did I say that I loved this book? Well I did! I couldn't get enough of it. The story line was phenomenal, non-stop excitement from start to finish! I love how he writes. Very very well written! I wanted to story to continue but I'm glad that the Blue Zone had good closer at the end! This is a must read for any Patterso...more
This was a very quick read. There were a lot of "half-revelations" where it wasn't suspenseful so much as confusing, and that definitely detracted from my enjoyment, but I liked it more as we moved toward the end and the pieces started falling into place. Overall, good but not great.
Pearl
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone who enjoys mysteries
Shelves:
mysteries
if you want to read a good mystery dealing with real people try Andrew Gross. Mrr. Gross has jointed Ian Rankins as one of the writers of mystery I would always recommded. In the process of readfing my second Gross novel, which is turning out to be as good if not better then this one,
More like a 2.5, but I'm having a hard time putting my finger on exactly what I didn't like about it. It was interesting enough with a different outcome than I expected, which is a good thing, but it just seems poorly written. I wouldn't bother with it, when there are so many other great books out there.
Sheila Beaumont
rated it
·
review of another edition
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review of another edition
Shelves:
adult-fiction,
mysteries-and-thrillers
A likable, smart female protagonist, excellent writing, lots of twists and turns, complex characters, betrayal, a terrific plot: All these and more made for a riveting, nearly unputdownable read. I've read two of this author's books so far, and will certainly read more.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Gross-Just have to say he is an amazing writer | 4 | 14 | Aug 21, 2011 04:33am |
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hubby, cook, dad, thriller writer (The Blue Zone, The Dark Tide, Don't Look Twice, and coming soon... Reckless). Love to hear from and meet my fans! Hope you enjoy the newest release RECKLESS, coming April 27, 2010.
Looking forward to sharing my bookshelf with you all, and hoping to get some new reading suggestions!
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Looking forward to sharing my bookshelf with you all, and hoping to get some new reading suggestions!
Become a Facebook Fan
Follow me on Twitter!
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