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Black Friday (Maggie O'Dell #7)

by Alex Kava

3.66 · rating details · 577 ratings · 92 reviews

On the busiest shopping day of the year, some idealistic college students believe they're about to carry out an elaborate media stunt at the largest mall in America. They think the jamming devices in their backpacks will disrupt stores' computer systems, causing delays and chaos. What they don't realize is that instead of jamming devices, their backpacks are stuffed with e...more

Hardcover, 295 pages

Published October 1st 2009 by Mira Books

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Jul 03, 2011

Cupcakencorset rated it

I zoomed through book 7 of the Maggie O'Dell series and not just because it's a fairly short novel. Actually, there's a whole lot of quality packed into this story, the bulk of which takes place over a 24-hour period. That 24 hours starts on the Friday after Thanksgiving with a bombing at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The mall is packed with (what some of us consider crazy) people taking part in the now-traditional Black Friday shopping frenzy, and the bombers are college kids w...more

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Mar 16, 2011

Sarah rated it

Black Friday is the seventh book in the engaging Maggie O'Dell series by Alex Kava.

Black Friday is known as not only the day after Thanksgiving, but also as the busiest shopping day of the year in America. When three young men plan to wreak havoc by crashing the computer systems in Minnesota's Mall of America, society is in for a real shock when the men are detonated as suicide bombers instead. FBI profile-expert Maggie O'Dell is called to the scene to determine the identity of the evi...moreBlack Friday is the seventh book in the engaging Maggie O'Dell series by Alex Kava.

Black Friday is known as not only the day after Thanksgiving, but also as the busiest shopping day of the year in America. When three young men plan to wreak havoc by crashing the computer systems in Minnesota's Mall of America, society is in for a real shock when the men are detonated as suicide bombers instead. FBI profile-expert Maggie O'Dell is called to the scene to determine the identity of the evil mastermind behind this act of terrorism, learning that the suicide bombers are just the first step in a larger plan to kill many more people. Maggie must team up with former flame and detective Nick Morrelli to hunt down the killer before it's too late.

Black Friday is one of Kava's more intriguing novels specifically because it explores one of our country's more recent conspiracy theories regarding the identity of a mysterious accomplice to Timothy McVeigh in the Oklahoma City bombing.

Alex Kava has a knack for writing fast-moving, highly suspenseful novels in a style not unlike Jeffery Deaver. Kava has nicely mastered the technique of incorporating red herrings and plot twists into her more recent novels which is a stellar bonus for lovers of mystery! Kava's novels are straight to the point, incredibly action-packed and are truly the perfect escape into continuous entertainment. Black Friday also introduces Maggie's younger brother to readers, ultimately allowing us a closer glimpse into Maggie's personal life -- and love life -- considering love-interest Nick Morrelli is once again coincidentally by her side. The ongoing character development offers a sure treat for fans of the Maggie O'Dell series.

Alex Kava is definitely one of those authors whose work I can't miss; I've read every novel by Kava to date, and not one has disappointed! Alex Kava's stand-alone novels include One False Move (2004) and Whitewash (2007). The first Maggie O'Dell novel is A Perfect Evil(2000).

For more book reviews visit http://dreamworldbooks.com.(less)

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Sep 10, 2010

Elizabeth rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I have been reading Alex Kava novels since 2003, and never before have I been disappointed. This book at just under 300 pages feels like almost 500. It is slow moving, and relies on conspiracy theories (and the fact that the reader knows these theories) to move the plot along. In this book, Special Agent Maggie O’Dell, a profiler for the FBI, is called in by the Interim Director to investigate a series of explosions inside the Mall of America on Black Friday (according to the book this was Nov. ...moreI have been reading Alex Kava novels since 2003, and never before have I been disappointed. This book at just under 300 pages feels like almost 500. It is slow moving, and relies on conspiracy theories (and the fact that the reader knows these theories) to move the plot along. In this book, Special Agent Maggie O’Dell, a profiler for the FBI, is called in by the Interim Director to investigate a series of explosions inside the Mall of America on Black Friday (according to the book this was Nov. 23, but unless it takes place in 2007 that is not possible since 11/23/09 was a Monday). My first major problem came after Maggie received the phone call. Instead of immediately getting ready, she and her friends gather around her television to watch Fox News to see what is being reported. This makes little sense to me. It seems that if Kava wanted to create a sense of urgency, she would not have had her main character standing around talking to her friends about the Interim Director’s reasons for bringing her in on the case. My next problem is that it seems that in order for Nick to be present in several of Maggie’s investigations, he needs to change jobs left and right: Sheriff, lawyer, and now security consultant? This is starting to get ridiculous. Another problem was the lack of her circle of ancillary characters, which were only present at the beginning and end of the book. Yet another problem was the fact that unbeknowst to Maggie her half brother (referred to as her step-brother, although they have the same father) was tangentially involved in the bombing. It took more than half of the book for her to find that he was there, despite the fact she saw someone who looked like her father in the lobby of the hotel the investigation is headquarted at.
My biggest problem, however, is Kava’s use of the Oklahoma City Bombing to further the plot. Technically, this is not a spoiler, but the antagonist is allegedly John Doe #2, the man believed to have helped McVeigh and Nichols plan and execute the attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995. This wasn’t the only national tragedy that she used either. She also mentions Columbine, Virginia Tech, 9/11, and the mass killings at a Nebraska mall a few years ago. These seemed to be present for shock value, and did little to help the plot along.
Further, there was almost no character growth in this novel. Maggie is still untrusting, especially of Nick, who doesn’t trust her either. Patrick doesn’t know or trust Maggie, going so far as to “think over” whether he wanted her help with his situation. This was so implausible to me. If you are a suspect in a terrorist bombing and your sister is part of the investigative team, wouldn’t you run to her for help? No matter how little you know each other, there is no reason not to accept help when it is offered. In the end, he is the only one that seems to have grown.(less)

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Jan 18, 2010

Tabi34 rated it

I love Alex Kava's books. I'm biased so this is my love-fest review. Having just finished "Exposed", this was definitely a continuation even though the story can stand alone.

Maggie O'Dell is having a get-together with the normal main characters in the books - her partner R.J. Tulley, Gwen Patterson (psychiatrist and Tulley's girlfriend)Tulley's daughter Emma and Harvey -Maggie's dog. New to the group is Ben Platt - the doctor who treated Maggie in "Exposed". It's...more

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Oct 27, 2009

Louise rated it

Shelves: thriller-suspense

As usual Alex Kava doesn't disappoint. Fast-paced, edge of your seat, page-turner!!! This is one author I wish could write 2 or 3 books a year. lol I read this in two-sittings but would have done it in one if I hadn't been so sick.

From dust jacket:

"On the busiest shopping day of the year, some idealistic college students believe they're about to carry out an elaborate media stunt at the largest mall in America. They think the jamming devices in their backpacks will d...moreAs usual Alex Kava doesn't disappoint. Fast-paced, edge of your seat, page-turner!!! This is one author I wish could write 2 or 3 books a year. lol I read this in two-sittings but would have done it in one if I hadn't been so sick.

From dust jacket:

"On the busiest shopping day of the year, some idealistic college students believe they're about to carry out an elaborate media stunt at the largest mall in America. They think the jamming devices in their backpacks will disrupt stores' computer systems, causing delays and chaos. What they don't realize is that instead of jamming devices, their backpacks are stuffed with explosives, ready to be detonated by remote control and turning them into suicide bombers.

Caught up in a political nightmare, battling a new interim director and still mourning the death of her boss A.D. Cunningham, FBI profiler Maggie O'Dell must put her own troubles aside and fly to Minnesota to help figure out what's behind this terrorist attack-a massacre that is all the more frightening because no group has claimed responsibility.

The search becomes personal when a tip reveals that one of the college students involved is Patrick, Maggie's brother. Afraid and on the run, Patrick must decide if he can finally trust Maggie enough to help her unravel this horrifying nightmare.

Sifting through the debris for answers, Maggie is joined by Nick Morrelli, who has recently taken a job with a national security company that oversees security for the mall. Although Maggie and Nick have investigaged several cases together in the past, they've never investigated a relationship with each other. Nick would like to change that.

When an informant confides in Maggie that there are other attacks on the secret agenda, she knows that she's running out of time. In less then twenty-four hours she'll need to figure out exactly when and where the second attack will take place, who to look for and how to keep her brother from becoming one of the casualties."

You will LOVE this one!!!!(less)

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Oct 06, 2011

Mary Gilligan-nolan rated it

Another Agent Maggie O'Dell story, and this one was probably my least favourite. Maggie, as a character, is not developing in any way. Once again, there are two men vieing for her affections, the ever patient Nick Morelli, lesser men would have given up on her long before now, and Benjamin Platt, who made his first appearance in the previous book, Exposed. Still no sign of Maggie being ready for a relationship with anyone, other than her work. Now, she also has a boss she intensely dislikes and ...more

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Dec 06, 2010

Kelley rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: audio-books, mystery, thriller, unabridged

Not really a review but I just had to say...

I actually started listening to this ON Black Friday this year. And whoa! talk about a little freaky!

Horror novels never scare me because so often they are so farfetched I know never in a million years would the stuff happening in them ever occur in real life. A good straightforward non-paranormal thriller can totally scare me though. Why? Because the storylines are so plausible that they really COULD happen in real life!
...more

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Jun 09, 2010

Ana T. rated it

Shelves: mysteries-thrillers, read-in-2010

One of the things that really made me enjoy Kava's last book was that it dealt with a real current threat, bioterrorism. In this one I really enjoyed that once again she picks on current subjects and worries as counter terrorism policies.

The main event is a terrorist attack on the busiest day of the year in America's biggest mall. Maggie and her new boss are called to investigate and soon it's obvious that all is not what it seems concerning who the perpetrators really are. Mag...moreOne of the things that really made me enjoy Kava's last book was that it dealt with a real current threat, bioterrorism. In this one I really enjoyed that once again she picks on current subjects and worries as counter terrorism policies.

The main event is a terrorist attack on the busiest day of the year in America's biggest mall. Maggie and her new boss are called to investigate and soon it's obvious that all is not what it seems concerning who the perpetrators really are. Maggie is still adjusting to the fact that her previous boss - Cunningham - is now dead and that the new one doesn't like her, when she meets Nick Morrelli again, working as for the mall's security company.

Kava mentions several real terrorist attacks in the plot, especially the Oklahoma City bombing that she links to one of the bombers in this story. I'm sure an American audience would have a stronger reaction to this than me who only knew about the man convicted of it. But it still made me think that something like this may well happen in our world, which is a scary thought.

The case gets a bit personal for Maggie because, not only Nick is involved but, one of the bombers is identified has her half brother. I did, however, not like what she did with Nick. He seems to be losing its place in the series but she didn't need to write him as a weaker character for which Maggie doesn't seem to have much professional respect. And the half brother involvement seemed like too much of a coincidence, an excuse to start a relationship between them.

This is a "race against time" type of story, after the mall bombing Maggie and her colleagues discover that a new bombing is planned for a couple of days later in an airport. All their investigative skills are used to discover where and stop it. However I didn't feel the kind of urgency I was hoping to feel while they run around trying to find the clues and solve the case. While the idea behind it seemed great, the story starts to lose its pace as the end approaches and, when I finished it I wasn't totally convinced by its resolution, who the villains were and why they were doing it. I am also not convinced by what she did with the Maggie and Nick relationship.

I still liked the book, now I'm worrying that my review is too harsh, but it definitely didn't feel like one of her best.

Grade: 4/5
(less)

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Jan 02, 2010

Kristin rated it

Recommends it for: Fans of Ridley Pearson's 'Hidden Charges' (similar plot)

Recommended to Kristin by: My mom

Very fast read, possibly because I was so interested in it, partly because the book moved at a good pace, no 'filler'.
I've not read any of the other books in this series, this one appealed to me based on the subject matter, since I've been to the Mall of America many times. Something about disasters in my favorite vacation destinations interests me, possibly because it's so easy to picture the setting when you've been there often.
As it is a book in a series, most of the main characte...more

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Mar 17, 2010

Schnaucl rated it

Shelves: fiction, library, march, mystery_crime, read_2010, series

It was okay. I like that Kava takes real life events and works them into stories but somehow I don't find the stories themselves all that compelling. They aren't bad, they're just okay.

There continues to be a will they or won't they thing with Nick and maybe it's that I haven't read more than one other book in the series but I don't care. The main character has already made up her mind, there doesn't seem to be any actual chemistry there, so it's Nick angsting and her kind of feelin...more

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Oct 23, 2009

Teresa in Ohio rated it

Shelves: kava-alex

Kava has the knack to take the "ripped from the headlines" stories and give them a twist so unexpected, you will think about the plot long after the book is closed. In this installment in this series, Agent O'dell is called to Mall of America. There has been 3 bombs set off by terrorists in the Mall the day after Thanksgiving. She is still recovering from medical issues that occured in the book Exposed and the loss of her director. Her new boss has an agenda that makes her life misera...more

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Mar 15, 2010

Aleksandra rated it

Shelves: thriller-crimes-etc, 2010

To już trzecia książka autorstwa Alex Kavy, którą przeczytałam. Tak się złożyło, że nie miałam szansy przeczytać 1;3;4;5 części przygód Maggie O'Dell. Z prostej przyczyny, w sklepach części ukazywały się nie po kolei, jednakże nie ma to znaczenia w przypadku tej serii. Książki są w pewien sposób powiązanie, ale nie na tyle, żeby zwróciło to uwagę czytelnika. Zawiodłam się na "Czarnym Piątku". Tak jak wszystkie poprzednie części mnie fascynowały, czytałam je z zapartym tchem, tak tym ra...more

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Sep 20, 2010

Lauren rated it

· review of another edition

Alex Kava’s Black Friday is the kind of book that makes the blurb seem totally inadequate. It starts slow but steadily builds upon itself. Everything is nice and normal for the five college students who enter that mall on the day after Thanksgiving. They just plan on causing a little ruckus, but little do they know that they have been duped in to carrying out a massive terrorist plot. But surely with Agent O’Dell on the case everything will be fine, right? Even with her temporary boss playi...more

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Jul 11, 2010

Anna R rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: thriller-crime-action, alex-kava

I've read several Kava's books, but I must say that one is a little disappointing. There are all most important characters from the series, interesting ideas who are they going to search but... When the intrigue is built, it finishes to soon. It should have more pages, more descriptions of main characters relations like Maggie - Nick, Maggie and her brother and so on. But if you have some free time and you're looking for a light book to read from time to time - it's worth reading;)

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Dec 15, 2009

Evelyn rated it

Shelves: thriller

Maggie O'Dell is sent to Minnesota to investigate after a bomb explodes inside the Mall of America on the busiest shopping day of the year. Could a group of college students, including her half-brother, be to blame, or is something more sinister happening?

Seventh in the Maggie O'Dell FBI profiler series. An interesting and all too plausible possible explanation for the Oklahoma City bombings as well as 9/11 are given as part of the plot. Highly recommend the series.

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Sep 06, 2010

Susan added it

An easy read since I finished it in 3 days. Tracking down a terrorist who convinced 3 college students to carry what they think is computer jamming equipment into the Mall Of America on the day after Thanksgiving. Needless to say, what they are carrying is bombs. The heroine is tracking this terrorist across the country to stop him from another attack 2 days later.

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Sep 15, 2010

Becky rated it

I liked it. The writing style was good. It had an interesting storyline, the characters were okay--though probably better if I hadn't started in the middle of the series. Easy reading, though there were a few spots where the storyline didn't flow together well. That may be an editing problem more than writing.

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Feb 04, 2010

Chris rated it

It was OK. A bunch of college kids come home for Thanksgiving, and get asked by old H>S> friends to carry around a red backpack at the mall on Black Friday. It supposedly is to jam the airways, and cause all the stores' electronics to jam. BUT> > > > it's bombs and thousands die. Sounds like a great premise for a book! But, it didn't deliver. LOTS of references to Fox News, etc....

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Nov 30, 2009

Maryellen Woodside rated it

I read this book right before Thanksgiving, and the Black Friday in the title refers to the infamous Friday after Thanksgiving. Three young men go to the Mall of America with identical backpacks, intending to jam computers and make Black Friday a retailer's nightmare. Instead it becomes a nightmare for them. Another satisfying read in the Maggie O'Dell series.

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Jan 04, 2010

Bill rated it

The Mall of America is the setting for this thriller that takes place on the busiest shopping day in America--the day after Thanksgiving. The author has written a compelling story that brings all of her characters together from previous Maggie O'Dell series novels. It is an enjoyable read.

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Nov 06, 2010

Victoria rated it

Shelves: books-in-a-series, mystery-thriller

This definitely was not the strongest installment of the Maggie O'Dell series. Though fast-paced, the plot wasn't as tightly drawn, nor were there any twists. Still, it had its exciting moments and it was nice to see more of some of the previously minor characters, particularly Maggie's half-brother (unfortunately he is sometimes referred to as her stepbrother, which is misleading and incorrect!). Some other characters that I previously really liked disappointed me here. I am still curious abou...more

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Nov 07, 2009

Marianne Stehr rated it

First off, this book is not nearly as lolng as it say, it is less than 300 pages, not the 400+ it says. It is a great book until the end (so as not to give much away I will say little) it falls flat. Completely flat. You rush to read and it has every making of a great thriller and then nothing. Good luck!

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Aug 04, 2010

Sandra Slack rated it

This was an awesome book.
I believe the author researched the subject very well, and it seems to me that he may have some "inside" information about how such things (terrorist things) work and are combatted.
I really reccomend this book to people who like suspense novels.

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Nov 20, 2009

Dwerdell rated it

The latest of the Maggie O'Dell series. This was a good story but a little too dependent on the reader knowing who all the repeating characters are and how they fit into the background. The central event is something that could all too readily happen! Kind of a frightening thought.

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Jan 05, 2012

Momm Gill rated it

Maggie O'Dell is called in on a bombing at the biggest shopping center in the USA on the biggest shopping day of the year... Mall of America, Black Friday (after Thanksgiving).
It seems that college age boys without a care in the world are carrying the red backpacks that detonate....
SPOILERS***
Even Maggie's half brother is involved...
And a second bombing is planned.

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Aug 27, 2011

Denise Malecki rated it

Excellent story, if you like the profiling type stories, you will love this author and this story. Takes place the day after Thanksgiving ("Black Friday") and gets your blood rushing from the start. Just love Alex Kava, can't wait to start the next book in her Maggie O'Dell series.

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Nov 26, 2009

Cheryl Karkoff rated it

A Maggie O'dell novel. Prety good, starts out fast with kids carrying backpacks into the biggest mall in America, thinking they are only going to disrupt cell and satelight service. They are really bombs and thats only part of the story.

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Aug 11, 2011

Ricardo added it

Like most of her books, this is an easy read, fast paced, and with a lot of interesting turns. However, it didn't have that special "x" factor in the plot that makes you want to keep turning pages

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Nov 08, 2010

Rodney rated it

This book was thrilling from the very beginning. It's scary to think that the terrorists attacks portrayed in this book could actually happen. Still a great read. I just love Maggie O'Dell.

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Nov 23, 2009

Elaine rated it

How dumb am I to read this book during the week of Black Friday. Very scary because we can all imagine something happening at a big mall. Very fast moving, quick read.

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Black Friday (Maggie O'Dell #7)

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