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Eyes Wide Open
A horrible family tragedy that may not be what it seems . . .
A past encounter with an infamous killer turns deadly today . . .
An ordinary man must risk his own family to find the truth.
Jay Erlich's nephew has been found at the bottom of a cliff at Morrow Bay. It's all just a tragic suicide, until secrets from the past begin to rear up again. Did a notorious killer, jailed for many decades, have his hand in this?
Years ago, Jay Erlich's older brother, Charlie, a wayward child of the sixties, set out for California, where he fell under the sway of a charismatic but deeply disturbed cultlike figure. Tragedy ensued and lives were destroyed, but as the decades passed, Charlie married and raised a family and lived a quiet, secluded life under the radar. Yet the demons that nearly destroyed him never completely disappeared.
When Jay heads out west to help his grieving brother, he is pulled back into Charlie's past—and begins to suspect that his nephew's suicide may not have been that at all. With eyes wide open, Jay puts his own life at risk to uncover the truth, a quest that goes beyond the edge of madness and a family haunted by a secret past . . . and into the depths of evil.
Drawing on two real-life experiences from his own past, Gross has crafted a richly personal, yet utterly terrifying tale of two brothers, one successful, one wayward, trying to bridge the gap of what tore them apart.
340 pages, Hardcover
First published July 12, 2011
272 people are currently reading
2536 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Gross
97 books1,783 followersHoward Andrew Gross was an American author of thriller novels, including four New York Times bestsellers. He is best known for his collaborations with suspense writer James Patterson. Gross's books feature close family bonds, relationships characterized by loss or betrayal, and a large degree of emotional resonance which generally leads to wider crimes and cover-ups. The books have all been published by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 543 reviews
June 29, 2018
Another of those books which annoyingly goes under two titles. This one was originally published as Eyes Wide Open.
Under either title this is pretty standard fare for a thriller. There are lots of horrific, scary, killings. There is a detective who is willing to take a civilian into his confidence - otherwise how would the story advance! In this case he even takes him into a major security prison to visit an inmate. And of course there are the really evil baddies pursuing their revenge.
However, in the manner of a James Patterson novel, Killing Hour is also highly readable. It is tense, sitting on the edge of your seat stuff. Who is doing the killing and why becomes apparent very early on but who is going to die next becomes quite an issue, especially when the author brings in an abduction to raise the stakes.
Epilogue: I wish the author had not written one or, since he obviously felt he had to, he should have let Max throw the paper away.
Under either title this is pretty standard fare for a thriller. There are lots of horrific, scary, killings. There is a detective who is willing to take a civilian into his confidence - otherwise how would the story advance! In this case he even takes him into a major security prison to visit an inmate. And of course there are the really evil baddies pursuing their revenge.
However, in the manner of a James Patterson novel, Killing Hour is also highly readable. It is tense, sitting on the edge of your seat stuff. Who is doing the killing and why becomes apparent very early on but who is going to die next becomes quite an issue, especially when the author brings in an abduction to raise the stakes.
Epilogue: I wish the author had not written one or, since he obviously felt he had to, he should have let Max throw the paper away.
April 5, 2013
Ugh. I picked up Eyes Wide Open because I was hoping for the same non-stop action, heart-pounding page-turner that was 15 Seconds, which I enjoyed this past summer. Unfortunately, Eyes Wide Open was not that book. The unoriginal plot not only was messy and extremely repetitive. Pace was frustratingly slow. The characters were not only unlikable, but confusing. The villains defied logic. And the police are useless. However, there were some wonderful suspenseful moments. I also applaud Gross for using his only experiences, but overall Eyes Wide Open was just your average suspense novel that I would hesitate to even call it a thriller.
When In Crisis, Just Claim You're A Doctor
Or at least that's how the protagonist, Jay Erlich, operates. "I'm a doctor." seems to be his default automated message. He says it to emergency personnel, cops, reporters, taxi drivers, everyone else he meets. I get it, you have a fancy medical degree, so what? What being a doctor has to do with solving crime is beyond me.
Perhaps his pride is what keeps him from CALLING THE POLICE.
For some reason, all of Jay's "guesses" turn out to be correct, or somehow turn into truths as the story progresses. The witnesses claim to be unsure of the suspect's gender. Along the way, the suspicions are dropped, and everyone believes the suspect is a woman...because a doctor (who didn't even speak to the witness) suspected it.
Also, Don't Tell Your Family Anything
One of the most annoying parts of the novel is Jay's numerous phone calls to his over-reacting wife. He's only gone for a week, and she's already freaking out. Gosh, woman! Calm down! It's ONLY been a week. I thought at any point she would be filing for divorce. His I'm-not-going-to-tell-my-wife-anything-because-she-won't-understand attitude doesn't help matters either. What kind of marriage is this? I'm supposed to like this guy? Really?
I Have No Compassion For These People
The author tried to make Charlie and Gabby pitiful, unlucky victims who just lost their son. But their reliance on family money, being on welfare, having no job, drug addictions, left me disgusted.
Shifting POVs:
I don't mind multiple perspectives. In fact, I welcome them. But the shifting POVs from first-person to third-person, and to different characters, was confusing. Especially because it was not mentioned in the chapter heading. Every few chapters I'm left with "Who is this again?!?!"
Plot Holes, I'm Not Falling In You!
To do what these criminals are capable of, they must work for the mafia. I thought these people were supposed to be delusional druggies, but somehow they are VERY capable of hunting down people. I swear they must have access to police records.
I have no idea why Jay thinks the criminal (who is supposed to be poor) has the money fly to New York to kidnap his son, and then fly right back. The face-off between Jay and the criminals was easily the worst part of the novel. He pleads the police not to shoot the criminal, who is charging at him with a knife, because "he has my son!" You want to be dead, or what? I have no idea why Jay would think the criminal would even tell him the location of his kidnapped son. But Jay is missing a few brain cells like that.
Ending (WHAT IS THIS?):
I didn't even know it was the ending until I started reading the Afterword and was like "What is this? This doesn't fit into the plot!" I was looking for an ending with more finality, but I was just glad the book was over. But I guess Gross was leaving room for suspense. I would prefer the epilogue to be left out for it only made me dislike Max (Jay's son,) who sounded like the stereotypical teenager whose vocabulary didn't stretch beyond "Sweet!," "Cool!," and "Awesome!" Ewww. I only met him for three pages and I already dislike him. Maybe it's because I'm a teenager (technically) that I am extra perceptive to the way teens are being portrayed.
When In Crisis, Just Claim You're A Doctor
Or at least that's how the protagonist, Jay Erlich, operates. "I'm a doctor." seems to be his default automated message. He says it to emergency personnel, cops, reporters, taxi drivers, everyone else he meets. I get it, you have a fancy medical degree, so what? What being a doctor has to do with solving crime is beyond me.
Perhaps his pride is what keeps him from CALLING THE POLICE.
For some reason, all of Jay's "guesses" turn out to be correct, or somehow turn into truths as the story progresses. The witnesses claim to be unsure of the suspect's gender. Along the way, the suspicions are dropped, and everyone believes the suspect is a woman...because a doctor (who didn't even speak to the witness) suspected it.
Also, Don't Tell Your Family Anything
One of the most annoying parts of the novel is Jay's numerous phone calls to his over-reacting wife. He's only gone for a week, and she's already freaking out. Gosh, woman! Calm down! It's ONLY been a week. I thought at any point she would be filing for divorce. His I'm-not-going-to-tell-my-wife-anything-because-she-won't-understand attitude doesn't help matters either. What kind of marriage is this? I'm supposed to like this guy? Really?
I Have No Compassion For These People
The author tried to make Charlie and Gabby pitiful, unlucky victims who just lost their son. But their reliance on family money, being on welfare, having no job, drug addictions, left me disgusted.
Shifting POVs:
I don't mind multiple perspectives. In fact, I welcome them. But the shifting POVs from first-person to third-person, and to different characters, was confusing. Especially because it was not mentioned in the chapter heading. Every few chapters I'm left with "Who is this again?!?!"
Plot Holes, I'm Not Falling In You!
To do what these criminals are capable of, they must work for the mafia. I thought these people were supposed to be delusional druggies, but somehow they are VERY capable of hunting down people. I swear they must have access to police records.
I have no idea why Jay thinks the criminal (who is supposed to be poor) has the money fly to New York to kidnap his son, and then fly right back. The face-off between Jay and the criminals was easily the worst part of the novel. He pleads the police not to shoot the criminal, who is charging at him with a knife, because "he has my son!" You want to be dead, or what? I have no idea why Jay would think the criminal would even tell him the location of his kidnapped son. But Jay is missing a few brain cells like that.
Ending (WHAT IS THIS?):
I didn't even know it was the ending until I started reading the Afterword and was like "What is this? This doesn't fit into the plot!" I was looking for an ending with more finality, but I was just glad the book was over. But I guess Gross was leaving room for suspense. I would prefer the epilogue to be left out for it only made me dislike Max (Jay's son,) who sounded like the stereotypical teenager whose vocabulary didn't stretch beyond "Sweet!," "Cool!," and "Awesome!" Ewww. I only met him for three pages and I already dislike him. Maybe it's because I'm a teenager (technically) that I am extra perceptive to the way teens are being portrayed.
August 21, 2012
This was my first stab (no pun intended) at one of Gross's books outside his co-writing with James Patterson. Sorry, but I have a serious bone to pick: if you're going to write a book about Charles Manson, then write a book about Charles Manson. Some of the details in this book about the cult at the center of the storyline and the murders they committed were SO derivative of the real-life circumstances that I actually shouted "Oh, come ON!" out loud more than once. If you are familiar enough with the Manson family's history and you've read "Eyes Wide Open," you'll know immediately what I mean.
I was quite saddened to read that the other primary plot line--the apparent suicide of a young man--was drawn from an awful tragedy that took place within his own family. As much as I hate to say it, though, even learning that fact made me question what this author's capacity is to simply IMAGINE.
Other authors (Jeffrey Deaver comes to mind) have woven plots involving a Manson-like figure but managed not to cross the line between letting the true tale influence the story and simply being so intellectually lazy as to completely plagiarize the most trivial details from an actual event. I can think of a lot of writers, notably Michael Connelly and Jonathan Kellerman, who have spun stories "ripped from today's headlines," but you still get the sense that they are adding texture and depth of their own to the book. This left me feeling like I got caught in a blender packed to the brim with equal parts "Helter Skelter," "The Family," "The Garbage People" and "Will You Die for Me?"
I was quite saddened to read that the other primary plot line--the apparent suicide of a young man--was drawn from an awful tragedy that took place within his own family. As much as I hate to say it, though, even learning that fact made me question what this author's capacity is to simply IMAGINE.
Other authors (Jeffrey Deaver comes to mind) have woven plots involving a Manson-like figure but managed not to cross the line between letting the true tale influence the story and simply being so intellectually lazy as to completely plagiarize the most trivial details from an actual event. I can think of a lot of writers, notably Michael Connelly and Jonathan Kellerman, who have spun stories "ripped from today's headlines," but you still get the sense that they are adding texture and depth of their own to the book. This left me feeling like I got caught in a blender packed to the brim with equal parts "Helter Skelter," "The Family," "The Garbage People" and "Will You Die for Me?"
December 3, 2017
This book defines the meaning of thriller. The last hundred pages played havoc with my blood pressure. I fear that reading books like this could be detrimental to my health. Stop reading them, I hear you say, sorry, not going to happen. At my age this is how I get my the Adrenalin rush.
Dr Jay Erlich ,happily married with two children and living in New York get a phone call from his sister in law,living in California, informing him that, Evan,their only son, his nephew, has committed suicide. The family are in desperate need of support. Jay goes to lend what support he can. Being a doctor Jay makes enquiries at the local hospital and is appalled at the lack of care that had been given to Evan. He is also frustrated with the police attitude. Whilst trying to get some answers Jay start to see that something is not quite right and takes his concerns to the local police. There is only one detective that is remotely interested in what Jay has to say. Jay drags the detective along in search for the truth. What unfolds is the story of a brutal mass killing that happened thirty years ago and is still having repercussions to day.
This book has a Charles Manson feel to it and given what Manson and his followers did 1969 makes the book very plausible.
Recommended for adrenaline junkies but not readers with high blood pressure :-)
Dr Jay Erlich ,happily married with two children and living in New York get a phone call from his sister in law,living in California, informing him that, Evan,their only son, his nephew, has committed suicide. The family are in desperate need of support. Jay goes to lend what support he can. Being a doctor Jay makes enquiries at the local hospital and is appalled at the lack of care that had been given to Evan. He is also frustrated with the police attitude. Whilst trying to get some answers Jay start to see that something is not quite right and takes his concerns to the local police. There is only one detective that is remotely interested in what Jay has to say. Jay drags the detective along in search for the truth. What unfolds is the story of a brutal mass killing that happened thirty years ago and is still having repercussions to day.
This book has a Charles Manson feel to it and given what Manson and his followers did 1969 makes the book very plausible.
Recommended for adrenaline junkies but not readers with high blood pressure :-)
October 30, 2019
Yazarın okuduğum ilk kitabıydı. Yine bir İzmir Kitap Fuarı zamanı aldığım, yaklaşık 3-4 senedir okunmayı bekleyen bir kitaptı. Çok uzun zamandır polisiye bir kitap okumamıştım açıkçası. Ve kitabın sayfalarını çevirmeye başlamam ile birlikte aslında bu türü ne kadar çok özlediğimi farketmiş oldum.
Kısaca konusundan bahsetmek gerekirse; Morro Körfezi kayalıklarında bir erkek cesedi bulunur. Bu ceset 20 yaşında psikolojik sorunları olan Evan’dır. Her ne kadar sorunlarla boğuşan bir genç olsa da ailesi bir türlü intihar edebileceğine ihtimal veremezler ancak bu dosya polisler için çok kolaydır çünkü manik depresif birinden beklenebileceği gibi intihar ile dosyayı kapatırlar. Evan’ın doktor olan amcası Jay ve ailesi bu soruyu gündeme getirirler. Evan o kayalıklarda intihar mı etti yoksa düşürüldü mü? Bu olayla başlayan ve neredeyse 37 sene öncesine dayanan konu üzerine geçen bir kitap.
Öncelikle rahatlıkla söyleyebilirim ki yazarın kalemi çok akıcı ve insanı kitaba kesinlikle bağlıyor. Merak uyandırıcı bir anlatımı söz konusu. Aslında kitapta olabilecek katil veya katilleri az çok tahmin edebiliyorsunuz ancak gidişatı ve konuyu nasıl bağlayacağını merak etmemek imkansız.
Bu arada söylemeden geçemeyeceğim yazar bu hikayeyi gerçek hayattan esinlenerek yazmıştır.
Kısacası bu tarz okuyan herkese rahatlıkla tavsiye edebilirim. :)
Kısaca konusundan bahsetmek gerekirse; Morro Körfezi kayalıklarında bir erkek cesedi bulunur. Bu ceset 20 yaşında psikolojik sorunları olan Evan’dır. Her ne kadar sorunlarla boğuşan bir genç olsa da ailesi bir türlü intihar edebileceğine ihtimal veremezler ancak bu dosya polisler için çok kolaydır çünkü manik depresif birinden beklenebileceği gibi intihar ile dosyayı kapatırlar. Evan’ın doktor olan amcası Jay ve ailesi bu soruyu gündeme getirirler. Evan o kayalıklarda intihar mı etti yoksa düşürüldü mü? Bu olayla başlayan ve neredeyse 37 sene öncesine dayanan konu üzerine geçen bir kitap.
Öncelikle rahatlıkla söyleyebilirim ki yazarın kalemi çok akıcı ve insanı kitaba kesinlikle bağlıyor. Merak uyandırıcı bir anlatımı söz konusu. Aslında kitapta olabilecek katil veya katilleri az çok tahmin edebiliyorsunuz ancak gidişatı ve konuyu nasıl bağlayacağını merak etmemek imkansız.
Bu arada söylemeden geçemeyeceğim yazar bu hikayeyi gerçek hayattan esinlenerek yazmıştır.
Kısacası bu tarz okuyan herkese rahatlıkla tavsiye edebilirim. :)
October 19, 2023
3 Stars. I only gave it three stars because that’s what it seemed to deserve.I will never forget this book though. Because my little brother died while I was reading it. It will be burned into my mind. It’s a book about devastating loss. How is it this is the book I was reading when I lost Michael? It’s really bugging me. My brother didn’t die as a result of violence as in this book but from an undiagnosed medical condition. Just because he was too busy for doctors. Please, anyone reading this, make time for doctors. Tell the people you care about that you love them. Every time you see them. This book was sad. But it does make a point of loving family, and always being there for them. It’s a vitally important lesson. I loved my brother and have no idea what I’m going to do without him. At least reading gave my mind a little break.
August 23, 2011
A brilliant psychological thriller, and to this date, the best book I have read this year. I was hooked from the first few pages and I read the book cover to cover in a single sitting.
Killing Hour (aka Eyes Wide Open) was written with such passion and emotion that I was not surprised to find in the author's notes, that the book was rooted in reality and not fiction. Andrew Gross based this novel, perhaps in some cathartic manner, on his own tragic and deeply personal family loss.
Beginning with an apparent suicide of a disturbed young man and the seemingly unrelated brutal murder of a woman in another state, the links to other deaths become apparent, with the catalyst being a Manson-like cult's murdering rampage in 1973.
Sanity was a rare commodity in this book, the suspense was absorbing and the end chilling. If you enjoy thriller writing, Andrew Gross has produced a book that will grab you, absorb you, and not let you go until you finish it. With the ending suggestive of a sequel, I can only hope that this is the case - and that it is published soon!
Killing Hour (aka Eyes Wide Open) was written with such passion and emotion that I was not surprised to find in the author's notes, that the book was rooted in reality and not fiction. Andrew Gross based this novel, perhaps in some cathartic manner, on his own tragic and deeply personal family loss.
Beginning with an apparent suicide of a disturbed young man and the seemingly unrelated brutal murder of a woman in another state, the links to other deaths become apparent, with the catalyst being a Manson-like cult's murdering rampage in 1973.
Sanity was a rare commodity in this book, the suspense was absorbing and the end chilling. If you enjoy thriller writing, Andrew Gross has produced a book that will grab you, absorb you, and not let you go until you finish it. With the ending suggestive of a sequel, I can only hope that this is the case - and that it is published soon!
July 31, 2015
I could not get into this book Andrew Gross writing did nothing for me i tried i really did but was not for me
December 22, 2019
3 Stars for Eyes Wide Open (audiobook) by Andrew Gross read by Christian Hoff. I thought I’d enjoy this more. It just didn’t quite work for me. It was a little slow and not much action. I’ve enjoyed some of his other books with James Patterson and others that he wrote on his own. Narration was good. I’m sure I’ll give another one of his books a try.
November 9, 2016
4* Now this is a thriller! Phew. I’m still processing it. Enjoyed the different settings, the history vs present day, the music, the psychic angle, all the tension. Lots going on. I have no doubt that I will be glad to listen a second time, and will be looking for more by this author. Good one!
(The edition I listened to was by Blackstone Audio and was called Eyes Wide Open.)
(The edition I listened to was by Blackstone Audio and was called Eyes Wide Open.)
January 6, 2012
Andrew Gross is quickly becoming my favorite mainstream thriller writer. His Ty Hauck series are tight suspense mysteries set in a Wall Street setting, making them a little out of the ordinary for this genre.
Yet Killing Hour is different. This time, Gross sets up a more intimate setting with no economic under-currents. It is his most personal work to date as you find out from his afterword. A deeply troubled young man kill himself and his uncle, a successful doctor, comes to California to support his mentally ill and less successful brother. Of course, there is more to the "suicide" than meets the eye.
The author builds up the suspense as he hooks us into this troubled family. Along the way, we meet a cult from the past that is uncomfortably close to The Manson Family. I've would have liked a little more originality in this area but the author makes it work. As in often the case, skeletons come out of the closet, deep secrets are revealed, and our doctor hero and a reluctant Santa Barbara detective are up to their chin in trouble. All this is common for the mainstream thriller but Gross works it especially well. This is a entertaining read and recommended for the suspense novel fan.
Yet Killing Hour is different. This time, Gross sets up a more intimate setting with no economic under-currents. It is his most personal work to date as you find out from his afterword. A deeply troubled young man kill himself and his uncle, a successful doctor, comes to California to support his mentally ill and less successful brother. Of course, there is more to the "suicide" than meets the eye.
The author builds up the suspense as he hooks us into this troubled family. Along the way, we meet a cult from the past that is uncomfortably close to The Manson Family. I've would have liked a little more originality in this area but the author makes it work. As in often the case, skeletons come out of the closet, deep secrets are revealed, and our doctor hero and a reluctant Santa Barbara detective are up to their chin in trouble. All this is common for the mainstream thriller but Gross works it especially well. This is a entertaining read and recommended for the suspense novel fan.
September 1, 2014
Thank God I am done with this book. I tried to make myself stay up late last night to finish it, but it was so bad I didn't have the strength. This is one of those books where you dislike the suppose good guy so much, you want the bad guy to please go ahead and quickly kill him.
You can see this plot unfolding a mile away, but our beloved hero, who should be somewhat intelligent since he announces to everyone under every circumstance, I'm a doctor, is still so surprised he resorts to overtired cliches, spouting expletives from a thesaurus, and the abusive use of exclamation points when the obvious is revealed.
It took me two weeks to read this book because I could put it down so easily. As a final punishment, the ending really ticked me off by trying to suggest it wasn't really over. Uugh. I continued to be surprised over what gets published these days.
You can see this plot unfolding a mile away, but our beloved hero, who should be somewhat intelligent since he announces to everyone under every circumstance, I'm a doctor, is still so surprised he resorts to overtired cliches, spouting expletives from a thesaurus, and the abusive use of exclamation points when the obvious is revealed.
It took me two weeks to read this book because I could put it down so easily. As a final punishment, the ending really ticked me off by trying to suggest it wasn't really over. Uugh. I continued to be surprised over what gets published these days.
February 15, 2017
This was a decent thriller - it wasn't painful to get through. However, the bad guys were not very believable and the ending was just weird (and frustrating). I'm rating it two stars for "it was ok".
May 31, 2017
For what the beginning of the book lacked, the ending made up for. Not really what I would deem believable which is characteristic that makes a thriller even scarier. However, it was really good read.
April 17, 2022
Jay Elrich is a successful doctor who has everything - a challenging career, a lovely wife, a perfect family. Except that his family isn't perfect. His older brother, Charlie, has struggled his entire life with depression, alcoholism, lack of ambition and a home life that leaves a lot to be desired. One day, Charlie calls to let Jay know that his son has taken his life, having jumped off Morro Bay rock. Evan had been troubled for most of his short life, but the circumstances leading up to this suicide are suspicious and Jay decides to investigate, knowing that Charlie and his wife are unable to do so in their grief.
Jay starts to question everything, getting himself a red flag at the local coroner's office, but he presses on, wanting to know why Evan had been released from a half-way house among other things. Jay is undeterred by the roadblocks and lack of evidence and eventually manages to pull the local coroner towards his way of thinking.
All in all, it is a twisty tale. Astonishingly, it is based on the true story of Gross' own nephew and his suspicious suicide. But, unfortunately it lags a lot and many threads of evidence were too thin to hold my attention.
3 stars seems generous but it did seem to tie up nicely in the end.
Jay starts to question everything, getting himself a red flag at the local coroner's office, but he presses on, wanting to know why Evan had been released from a half-way house among other things. Jay is undeterred by the roadblocks and lack of evidence and eventually manages to pull the local coroner towards his way of thinking.
All in all, it is a twisty tale. Astonishingly, it is based on the true story of Gross' own nephew and his suspicious suicide. But, unfortunately it lags a lot and many threads of evidence were too thin to hold my attention.
3 stars seems generous but it did seem to tie up nicely in the end.
April 8, 2020
In this book from 2011, surgeon Jay Erlich goes to see his older brother Charlie when his nephew Evan jumped off a cliff. Charlie and Evan both have experienced drug abuse and mental illness.
Jay feels compelled to get to the bottom of why Evan was released from a mental facility after only 4 days. Talking to the police seems a dead end until a retired police officer is killed and Jay starts to link the deaths. The retired officer had been involved in an investigation of a cult many years ago and Charlie had been a member of the cult.
For the first 80 pages, I felt the story was a message on the plight of the mentally ill. My interest was waning but fortunately the action picked up in the second half. The last quarter of the book was very good. The epilogue was frightening.
Jay feels compelled to get to the bottom of why Evan was released from a mental facility after only 4 days. Talking to the police seems a dead end until a retired police officer is killed and Jay starts to link the deaths. The retired officer had been involved in an investigation of a cult many years ago and Charlie had been a member of the cult.
For the first 80 pages, I felt the story was a message on the plight of the mentally ill. My interest was waning but fortunately the action picked up in the second half. The last quarter of the book was very good. The epilogue was frightening.
June 8, 2022
3.75 stars. So first, many of us older readers have certainly noticed the similarities to the Sharon Tate murders and the psychopaths responsible. Nonetheless, the last half of this is book is so engrossing and tense you won’t set it down until you’ve finished. And kudos to a great epilogue. Recommend.
February 28, 2012
I was drawn to this book because of its described theme - a mystery dealing with a cult-like group in the 1960's very much like the Manson Family. The book turned out to be a quintessential thriller and page-turner, just right for the beach or the plane. While repetitive in parts, it held my interest and was a good read.
The novel is about Jay Erlich, a successful Westchester doctor who finds out that his bi-polar nephew, Evan, has taken his own life. Jay flies out to California to be with his brother Charlie and his sister-in-law Gabby in order to provide them with emotional support. Shortly after his arrival, he begins to have suspicions that Evan did not commit suicide but was murdered. The murder draws Jay in and as he investigates further and further, he realizes that it has to do with the Houvnanian cult with which his brother hung out for a while during his youth.
Like his son Evan, Charlie is bi-polar and has never had much in life. He and his wife Gabby live in relative squalor with occasional financial help from Jay. They live pretty much off the radar as well. As Jay pieces together the puzzle of Evan's death, it all leads back to Houvnanian and other members of his cult. Along with help from the police, Jay is determined to find out what really happened to Evan and to the string of murders that follow in his wake and all seem to be connected.
This novel is a quick read and has a lot of good information about bi-polar disease and serious mental illness. The parts about hallucinations and delusions were quite realistic and the author appears to really know his stuff in this area. As a clinical social worker, I was impressed at his knowledge. The book is relatively hardcore and there are some painfully realistic scenes that are horrific. I enjoy hardcore thrillers so it was no problem for me but be advised - if you're not a fan of this genre, this book will likely not work for you. This is a book that you can read in a couple of days. It is not likely a novel you will remember for your whole life but it is one that you will enjoy reading and the time you spend on it will be entertaining. (3.5)
The novel is about Jay Erlich, a successful Westchester doctor who finds out that his bi-polar nephew, Evan, has taken his own life. Jay flies out to California to be with his brother Charlie and his sister-in-law Gabby in order to provide them with emotional support. Shortly after his arrival, he begins to have suspicions that Evan did not commit suicide but was murdered. The murder draws Jay in and as he investigates further and further, he realizes that it has to do with the Houvnanian cult with which his brother hung out for a while during his youth.
Like his son Evan, Charlie is bi-polar and has never had much in life. He and his wife Gabby live in relative squalor with occasional financial help from Jay. They live pretty much off the radar as well. As Jay pieces together the puzzle of Evan's death, it all leads back to Houvnanian and other members of his cult. Along with help from the police, Jay is determined to find out what really happened to Evan and to the string of murders that follow in his wake and all seem to be connected.
This novel is a quick read and has a lot of good information about bi-polar disease and serious mental illness. The parts about hallucinations and delusions were quite realistic and the author appears to really know his stuff in this area. As a clinical social worker, I was impressed at his knowledge. The book is relatively hardcore and there are some painfully realistic scenes that are horrific. I enjoy hardcore thrillers so it was no problem for me but be advised - if you're not a fan of this genre, this book will likely not work for you. This is a book that you can read in a couple of days. It is not likely a novel you will remember for your whole life but it is one that you will enjoy reading and the time you spend on it will be entertaining. (3.5)
July 6, 2011
Wow! I read this really quickly... 1)It needs to get back to the library and 2)...I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!~!
Dr Jay Handler's nephew Evan, has committed suicide. Jay rushes to California to his brother Charlie, and sister-in-law Gabriella's sides, to help them through this traumatic time. Charlie's past was extremely troubled, including drugs and problems with the law, as well as being diagnosed as bi-polar at a young age. Evan was also bi-polar, and had tendencies towards violence and when he tried to purchase a gun, his parents had no choice but to get the police involved.
Jay finds himself up to his neck in Charlie's past, with more deaths, past and present, pointing to a link with happenings 35 years before. Jay and Evan's parents are convinced Evan's death is not suicide, but to find out who murdered him, Jay must follow up with limited police help, and a world of dangerous secrets and ruthless killers closing in on him.
A great thriller, gripping, full of suspense...recommended!
Dr Jay Handler's nephew Evan, has committed suicide. Jay rushes to California to his brother Charlie, and sister-in-law Gabriella's sides, to help them through this traumatic time. Charlie's past was extremely troubled, including drugs and problems with the law, as well as being diagnosed as bi-polar at a young age. Evan was also bi-polar, and had tendencies towards violence and when he tried to purchase a gun, his parents had no choice but to get the police involved.
Jay finds himself up to his neck in Charlie's past, with more deaths, past and present, pointing to a link with happenings 35 years before. Jay and Evan's parents are convinced Evan's death is not suicide, but to find out who murdered him, Jay must follow up with limited police help, and a world of dangerous secrets and ruthless killers closing in on him.
A great thriller, gripping, full of suspense...recommended!
July 15, 2015
Fabulous!
Thrilling page turner that is well written and super tough to put down.
I am probably an "official super fan" of Mr. Gross' writings; I seriously devour each literary installment as though I have been deprived of written works by talented authors or something!
Seriously, if you enjoy a good thriller, I encourage you to check Mr. Gross' novels out - good stuff.
Thanks! 8-)
Lisa the NookWorm
@NurseLisainOhio
Thrilling page turner that is well written and super tough to put down.
I am probably an "official super fan" of Mr. Gross' writings; I seriously devour each literary installment as though I have been deprived of written works by talented authors or something!
Seriously, if you enjoy a good thriller, I encourage you to check Mr. Gross' novels out - good stuff.
Thanks! 8-)
Lisa the NookWorm
@NurseLisainOhio
July 27, 2011
Didn't like this one quite a well as his previous ones, but still good.
July 28, 2015
A very well written book from Andrew Gross who probably become well known through writing for the James Patterson factory.
An excellent writer who deserves fame for his own work.
An excellent writer who deserves fame for his own work.
August 7, 2024
Wow this book is absolutely just wow.
Okay so this was really fast paced and I was SO invested, like I got to 50% just when I started it, and I finished it in one sitting as well. Well I’m in a wheelchair so obviously I would finish it in one sitting but like I mean that I didn’t take any breaks when I finished this. Okay THE TWISTS? Even though I saw the one twist coming with Susan being one of the killers I didn’t see DEV COMING OMG
I thought Evan didn’t Jill himself and I’m so happy he didn’t. The part when we found out what really happened to him, as well as the whole Sherwood dying scene had me crying like a baby. BUT WHAT REALLY GOT ME WHEN WAS CHARLIE DIED AFTER HE SAID THAT HE WISHED HE AND JAY COULD BE FRIENDS AND NOT JUST BROTHERS AND THEN AFTER CHARLIE DIED THE OFFICER ASKED IF HE WAS HIS BROTHER AND HE SAID “not just my brother, my best friend.” MY HEART SHATTERED IN PIECES AND INSTANT WATERWORKS.
This totally would be a five star if it like wasn’t so weird at times? Russel Houvnanian was a total psychopath? Like what the heck are you doing saying you’re the next Messiah?? There’s only One and He came and died for our sins and rose again so.. stop acting like it’s something ordinary people can do and almost like mocking or making less important what the Son of God did. Also trigger warning this book is super graphic! I highly recommend, this made me care about the characters, cry, and oof it was just so good. It just annoyed me whenever he compared himself to Jesus and whatnot like just stop it and hang yourself in your jail cell Russel.
Also I needed to look up an ending explained but couldn’t find one so if anyone knew what that ending was please tell me?? Like WHAT WAS THAT? I thought the guy was Russel but someone said it’s Jay’s dad? I’m confused and want answers. If it was Jay’s dad does that mean he’s gonna kill Mike? Oof, what a ride
Okay so this was really fast paced and I was SO invested, like I got to 50% just when I started it, and I finished it in one sitting as well. Well I’m in a wheelchair so obviously I would finish it in one sitting but like I mean that I didn’t take any breaks when I finished this. Okay THE TWISTS? Even though I saw the one twist coming with Susan being one of the killers I didn’t see DEV COMING OMG
I thought Evan didn’t Jill himself and I’m so happy he didn’t. The part when we found out what really happened to him, as well as the whole Sherwood dying scene had me crying like a baby. BUT WHAT REALLY GOT ME WHEN WAS CHARLIE DIED AFTER HE SAID THAT HE WISHED HE AND JAY COULD BE FRIENDS AND NOT JUST BROTHERS AND THEN AFTER CHARLIE DIED THE OFFICER ASKED IF HE WAS HIS BROTHER AND HE SAID “not just my brother, my best friend.” MY HEART SHATTERED IN PIECES AND INSTANT WATERWORKS.
This totally would be a five star if it like wasn’t so weird at times? Russel Houvnanian was a total psychopath? Like what the heck are you doing saying you’re the next Messiah?? There’s only One and He came and died for our sins and rose again so.. stop acting like it’s something ordinary people can do and almost like mocking or making less important what the Son of God did. Also trigger warning this book is super graphic! I highly recommend, this made me care about the characters, cry, and oof it was just so good. It just annoyed me whenever he compared himself to Jesus and whatnot like just stop it and hang yourself in your jail cell Russel.
Also I needed to look up an ending explained but couldn’t find one so if anyone knew what that ending was please tell me?? Like WHAT WAS THAT? I thought the guy was Russel but someone said it’s Jay’s dad? I’m confused and want answers. If it was Jay’s dad does that mean he’s gonna kill Mike? Oof, what a ride
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2018
Polisiye kitaplarda her zaman dedektif karakteri ön planda olmalı bana göre. Ama bir ya da birden fazla cinayeti araştıracak olan dedektif olmalıyken, bazılarında diğer karakter dedektifin önüne geçince o kitap benim gözümde polisiye olmaktan çıkıyor. Dedektif salak da sen mi çözüyorsun bu olayı demek istiyorum. Kupa Valesi de böyle bir kitap. Ölen çocuğun amcası olan Doktor, olayları çözmeye çalışıyor ve dedektife akıl veren de, kanıt bulan da, olayları birleştiren de neredeyse çoğunluk o. Böyle durumlarda da okurken soğumaya başlıyorum kitaptan. Yazarın sadece Kafes kitabını okuyup çok beğenmememe rağmen ikinci bir şans vermek istedim. Ama yine aynı gereksiz uzatmalar da eklenince üzerine maalesef bir daha okumayacağım bu yazarı. Çünkü çok daha iyi yazarlara haksızlık etmiş olacağım.
.
Şunu da dip not eklemeliyim; yazar kendi yaşadığı olaydan esinlenerek yazmış kitabı. Aynı şekilde yeğeni tedavi görüyor ve intihar ediyor, ama gerçekte olay aydınlanmamış cinayet mi, intihar mı bilinmiyor. Ama kitapta bir son var tabiki.
January 21, 2018
4.5 I listened to the audio and I fear I lost a key clue while tractoring around the property. I hate missing every word when I like the book, it made the ending muddy, so much so that I had to ask my husband what happened... I hate that too, he is not a reliable reader. It could have been a five if I wasn't so spotty on hearing every word, the reveal left me wondering where it when so wrong for me!
January 20, 2019
I DEFINITELY would give this book more than 5 STARS if I could!!! First book I have read with Andrew Gross, who also writes with James Patterson in some books. No wonder this book was so AWESOME... I am definitely ordering all of his books, Great Great Read**********
May 4, 2022
4.5 stars!
June 22, 2022
Yani güzeldi.okunabilir ...
March 13, 2025
Lordy. That's a few days of my life I won't get back. Very dull indeed.
November 28, 2025
This book was okay. I like the writing style, but I didn’t really care for the characters and the story. I’ll definitely read more of his stuff, but this felt like a very forgettable book
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