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Wrong Place, Wrong Time

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When Tsara Adelman leaves her husband and two young children for a weekend to visit her estranged uncle, she little dreams he is holding several local children captive on his lavish estate. Mike Westbrook, father of one of the boys, kidnaps her to trade her life for the children's. Soon Tsara and Mike are fleeing through New Hampshire's mountain wilderness pursued by two rogue cops with murder on their minds.

404 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2013

24 people are currently reading
2723 people want to read

About the author

Tilia Klebenov Jacobs

9 books89 followers
Tilia Klebenov Jacobs holds a BA from Oberlin College, where she double-majored in Religion and English with a concentration in Creative Writing. Following an interregnum as an outdoor educator with the Fairfax County Park Authority in Virginia, she earned a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School and a Secondary School Teaching Certification from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Despite lacking the ability to breathe fire except in the strictly metaphorical sense, Tilia has taught middle school, high school, and college. She has also won numerous awards for her fiction and nonfiction writing. She is a judge in the Soul-Making Keats Literary Competition, and she teaches writing in two prisons in Massachusetts. Tilia lives near Boston with her husband, two children, and two standard poodles.

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5 stars
109 (37%)
4 stars
97 (33%)
3 stars
61 (20%)
2 stars
22 (7%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
Profile Image for Doug Jacobs.
40 reviews
May 14, 2013
I will admit that I am the husband of the author, but here are my honest thoughts. Tilia has not read, written, edited or otherwise tampered with this review. [Scout's Honor]

I've read this book (aloud) three times now. It is well written, reads smoothly, and impels one to turn to the next page to find out what happens next. The characters are likable, except those who are not, and they are truly icky. Our liking of some characters diminishes to disgust, while our fear and hatred of other characters turns to admiration and love and sadness. The funny parts are very funny, and the moving parts will rend your heart. The primary characters are easy to identify with, and like most good books, the story is more about the people than what happens to them.

This book is not for kids. There is no sexuality, but the situations are violent, the language of some of the characters is the sort that might be used by a longshoreman on one of his grumpier days, and the psyche of the protagonist is severely tested.

By the end, the reader is satisfied with each person's arc, and there is hope for the future, but this is not to say that there is what one might call a "happy ending".

I recommend this book without reservation to all who like a compelling read.
Profile Image for Brenda.
4,976 reviews2,978 followers
May 31, 2016
Tsara Adelman wasn’t sure about her response to her Uncle Cass’ invitation to a fundraiser at his home, Chateau Thornlocke. Estranged for almost twenty five years, she could feel herself rejecting the olive branch he was offering her. But when she discovered her brother Court was going, she decided it might be fun. Her only disappointment was leaving David and her two small children, Josh and Abbie – but it was only for the weekend and David was happy to care for them. If the weekend and reunion with her uncle went well, perhaps the whole family would visit one day.

When Tsara saw the pleasure on Cass’ face as he saw her step out of her car, she knew her decision to make the trip was a sound one. She also met up with his wife, Alicia and their three children. Catching up with Court again was also fun as she hadn’t seen him in a while. But late that night after much entertainment, food and festivities, Tsara was horrified when two men entered her room. Though she fought for her life, she was no match for them – her kidnapper was strong and definitely meant business.

When Mike Westbrook gruffly told Tsara why he had abducted her, she was astounded and was sure he was lying. After all, he had kidnapped her; she had injuries though nothing severe – why should she believe anything he said! But in the ensuing hours Mike and Tsara found themselves on the run – though still a prisoner, Tsara was aware that whoever was chasing them didn’t mean to keep them alive. What would be the outcome of their frantic rush through the mountainous countryside of New Hampshire? Would Tsara ever see David and her two young children again?

Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Tilia Klebenov Jacobs is a fast paced, gritty and intense psychological thriller which I had trouble putting down. I thoroughly enjoyed the intrigue; felt empathy toward the kidnapper and was appalled by others. Tsara was a great character and I really liked David’s character as well. An extremely well written book by this author; it is my second of hers I’ve read and I will definitely be looking for more of her work. Wrong Place, Wrong Time is a book I highly recommend.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔.
2,873 reviews417 followers
September 8, 2014
** I was given this book to read and review from Linden Tree Press Via Net Galley for an honest review with no monetary gain, just my own thoughts**

I read the blurb and thought it was something I would enjoy getting my teeth into, I love to read a good thriller now and again. I wasn't disappointed at all, it was a fast paced book that kept me busy for several hours today relaxing and reading, oh and biting my nails!

The first half of the book was good, but the second half was OMG, really a page turner, I so loved it. I didn't want it to end. I think I am going to seek out more of this authors books. The downside is, I have just looked and this must be her first book, as I cannot find anymore. If that is the case, then boy, she really is someone to be kept an eye on, as she really writes a good story.

Thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Books Laid Bare.
2,275 reviews38 followers
August 10, 2015
This took me on a journey that I was not anticipating, it took a while to get going and I was had events that I actually found darker than I had been prepared for but it was very well written and the attention to descriptive details was fantastic.
The story twists and turns unexpectedly and I have to say that I was caught by surprise on the direction the story was taking on more than one occasion.
I liked Tsara, she was a strong character who I couldn’t help but get attached to, and she went through so much.
Invited to spend some time with her uncle, the invitation may have been unexpected but he was family after all, she headed to his place without giving it a second thought. But events were going to take a turn that she would have never imagined in an million years.
She ends up in the clutches of a man, a man that will do everything to get back his child, the child that is being held captive on her uncle’s property. Just what has she gotten herself into?
Desperate people do desperate things and Mike is the epitome of desperate, he wants his son back and is hoping that he will be able to Tsara for his safe return, shame that relationship with her uncle isn’t one that means she is close enough to matter that much.
Initially Mike took a little bit of getting used too, I understood the actions he was taking and what he was hoping to achieve but seriously, Mr Alpha needed bringing down to earth with a bump! He was so controlling that I could have swung for him.
If you want anyone to hate in this story then he is presented all wrapped up in a nice tidy package, Tsara’s uncle is a reprehensible human being and his illusion of respectability is no more than the necessary smokescreen that masks the fact that this man is dangerous. Six young boys are at his mercy and the appearance of Mike on his estate has exercising his deviancy in a murderous bid to retain his illusion.
He has no choice but call in his thugs and set them loose as they are given orders to track Tsara and Mike down at all costs.
So now Tsara and Mike are being hunted, who would have thought that they would end up on the same side, but they are and they are doing everything they can to outrun and outwit the guys that are chasing them
But can they survive?
The story in the end hits the ground running at a fair gallop, I think the reason it too so long to warm up was that there was just so much to cram in, it was all needed in order to make the last third of the book make sense, so as tough as it is you have to stick with it because really you need all the details.
The book is a deliberate, calculated yet emotional read. It will leave you slack jawed and aghast at times and on other occasions the ability to think straight will be a thing of the past.
Profile Image for Jonetta.
2,541 reviews1,289 followers
January 27, 2019


Tsara Adelman was definitely in the wrong place at the wrong time. After years of estrangement, she agrees to visit her Uncle Cass for a gala event at his home. That night while she was preparing for bed, she was abducted from her room at his chateau in New Hampshire. She then embarks on the most harrowing experience of her life.

The heart of the story
Details about Tsara's life and the reasons she and her brother hadn't seen their mother's brother for years unfold throughout the story. I liked that method as it helped me understand the characters filtered through the ensuing events. The story also presented points of view about the abductors, which really helped create conflicted opinions about them and Tsara.

One of the best things about this story was Tsara. She's five foot nothing and was no victim! She initially took out one of the kidnappers and fought them throughout her ordeal. Her struggles following her rescue were extremely realistic, even though at times I thought her a little callous considering some of the circumstances. I also appreciated how aspects of her Jewish faith were integral to the story and her evolution. It was enlightening and informative, explaining a lot about the woman and the people in her life. I especially liked her rabbi.

My "nits"
The one distraction was what I felt was an inordinate amount of description that slowed the pace. A lot seemed unnecessary and I found myself skimming routinely through a lot of passages. A bit of trimming would make this a much more satisfying read. Also, I never knew what city Tsara lived in...it was never mentioned and it bugged me a lot!

The bottom line
This was a very good story that I'd recommend for those who appreciate a book full of suspense and complicated characters and issues. And, the ending was so very satisfying. 3.5 stars

(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
Profile Image for Debbie.
1,751 reviews106 followers
October 1, 2013
I received this book free in exchange for a review from Net Galley.

A mother is kidnapped from her uncle's house after a party. She hasn't seen her uncle in years, there has been some bad blood in the family. The men who kidnapped her claim that her uncle is holding young children prisoner. They are going to trade her for the children. The uncle refuses to cooperate. She's in the woods of New Hampshire fearing for her life with two men who said it would be a trade for prisoners the next day and it would be over. It wasn't.

This book was nothing like I expected it to be. I expected the emphasis to be on the children that the uncle was holding prisoner.

However, that doesn't mean it wasn't good. I actually liked it. It just went in a direction that I wasn't expecting and it made for a very good story. A pleasant surprise that added to the enjoyment of the book.

The characters are very likable, including the kidnappers, and the story was well written.
Profile Image for Lori Elliott.
855 reviews2,210 followers
October 29, 2013
Very satisfied... that's how this book left me feeling!!! Enjoyed the pace and the characters!!! I did feel like I knew how it would all end, but that didn't keep me from wanting to keep reading!!! Strong 3.5 stars!!!
Profile Image for Tarran.
84 reviews2 followers
October 15, 2013
Intrigue from the start. This book is near impossible to put down. So well written and such an intense story. Excellent book!
Profile Image for Janet.
1,543 reviews14 followers
September 28, 2013
I wasn't prepared to like this book, but I was dead wrong. It was actually well plotted, with unexpected twists and turns and very little that was predictable. Ms. Klebenov Jacobs has created strong, likeable characters in the hero and heroine. I did struggle a bit with the pacing, it seemed a bit slow at first. As I look back I believe that to be because so much set up had to be in place for the story to play out. It picked up speed in the middle and remained fairly balanced from then. The settings were amazingly vivid, the dialogue a bit stiff, but seemed appropriate to the characters and the situation.All in all, a strongly plotted suspense novel.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Hlee.
351 reviews21 followers
July 12, 2015
4. Solid. Stars. This was a surprisingly good one. It had great elements of a storyline: character development, good description of people and places, and a satisfying ending. I literally laughed, teared up, and gasped throughout it all. And there were numerous lines that I've highlighted, which will be pondered for sometime later. I will enjoy looking forward to more of this author's work.

I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Tasneem.
Author 2 books38 followers
August 12, 2014
This gripping, fast paced story is extremely well written. The realistic characters and detailed descriptions pulled me in immediately, and I loved that the author managed to weave beautiful sentences and sensitive observations into a compelling plot.

I read the book through in one sitting. Just couldn't put it down!
6 reviews
June 15, 2013
A very good book. The characters were interwoven well and there weren't too many of them to get confused. The descriptions of the characters and scenery was well written. I felt that I was transported to the mountains, courtroom and prison.
Profile Image for Linda Strong.
3,878 reviews1,707 followers
April 23, 2015
Tsara is a 42-year-old wife and mother who spends a weekend with her uncle and his family from whom she's been estranged for many years.

While there, she is kidnapped by two men. According to her kidnapper, her uncle is holding several children hostage and awaiting payment from their parents. One of those children is his. His plan is to keep her until his son is returned.

All of this is revealed within the first couple of chapters. The author sets up all kinds of hardships for Tsara and her kidnapper, Mike. For being an adult woman, she acts more like a petulant teenager throughout the story. The suspense was not all that suspenseful. I didn't connect with either of them.

For reading enjoyment, this was just an OK book for me. I didn't hate it, but I didn't much like it, either.

Thank you to Linden Tree Press/NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest opinion.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
26 reviews1 follower
September 24, 2015
I give this book 4.5 stars since it really isn't one that totally knocked my socks off, but it was better than 4 stars, so I rounded up rather than down. Where some readers may not have liked the characters, other than the obvious villains I felt for all the main characters. This is a story of redemption and forgiveness as much as a thriller and while not "religious" myself, I appreciated the main character's goodness in trying to discern what is right and striving to be what she believes her faith requires.
Profile Image for Adam Ford.
Author 17 books17 followers
December 3, 2013
This is not the genre of book that i normally read, but i picked it up at a highschool reunion as i'm classmates with the author. It is well-written and exciting, with good development into the thoughts and lives of the main characters. If you're looking for a good beach read, this is it, with its vividly painted setting of New England in the fall, ahhh....
Profile Image for Loretta.
316 reviews
November 23, 2015
I loved the character Tsara! She is a strong, stubborn, brave, caring woman with a hilarious sense of humour despite being kidnapped, scared, and in danger. In a nutshell, Tsara is one kick ass lady. A couple of her lines that made me laugh out loud:

“She leaned against the tree that way for a moment, and reflected that for the next kidnapping she would definitely wear a bra.”

Reporter: “Tara, what’s it like confronting the man who attacked you?”

Tsara (thinking to herself): “Spiffy! Positively corking!”

Reporter: “How do you feel?”

Tsara (thinking to herself) “Like I’ve been to hell and back so many times I’m on the frequent flyer plan!”

I expected the entire story to be about her time with the kidnappers and end with her hopefully being rescued. But to my delight part of her ordeal ends about half way through then the story continues with the aftermath of the kidnapping and its effect on the people involved.

All of the characters in the story are wonderful and well developed. Whether I loved them or hated them, all of them added to my reading enjoyment. A well written and plotted story that kept me guessing and intrigued with an ending that was not exactly “happy ever after” yet fitting and satisfying. A new author for me and I definitely look forward to reading more of her work.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

17 reviews
October 23, 2015
Wrong Place, Wrong Time. Tsara and her brother Court came to their Uncle Castle's house for a weekend party, little did they know they would become involved with Cass' extortion schemes in a very big way. Tsara is kidnapped by Mike and his cousin Jim. Little by little we find out that Mike's 6 year old son, Aiden, was kidnapped by Cass and his local henchmen, known as the police, and that Tsara is only a means to an end to get his son back. Mike, while never hesitating to keep Tsara in line when she tries to escape, is never deliberately mean, and puts his own life in jeopardy for her. After 3-4 days, Mike is captured and Tsara is left to recover from her ordeal. What would you do if someone hurt your child? Even though Mike was wrong to take Tsara, did he do it for the right reason? Does forgiveness truly allow you to move on in life?
This story kept me interested until the end, and I wondered what I would do if I was in Mike's shoes, or Tsara's.
Profile Image for Melissa.
73 reviews3 followers
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October 13, 2013
This is a book that I received through GoodReads' free giveaway. It was okay. The part about the main character's kidnapping was a bit long, and I thought it could've been shortened up. I thought the part about the children's abduction and subsequent captivity would figure into the story a little more, but I guess that is not what the author wanted to focus on. I will say that it was well written, with wonderful grammar, which I'm finding less and less common. The dialog was engaging, realistic, easy to follow, and even humorous at times. Overall, I think the author did a fine job writing this book, considering that she is fairly new to the writing world!
Profile Image for Kathy.
52 reviews
February 13, 2014
Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Tilia Klebenov Jacobs is an intriguing suspense novel. The first half of the story deals with the abduction of the heroine, mother and housewife Tsara Adelman; the second half with its aftermath. The plot and characters are well-developed and the pace is good. The underlying theme of the "loss of a loved one" raises many questions about right and wrong, revenge and forgiveness, that will lend itself to lively and thoughtful book club discussions. This is an outstanding debut novel and I look forward to reading more from Jacobs. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Mary Kennedy.
1 review6 followers
June 4, 2013
Heroine Tsara Abrams is edgy swagger with an overlay of happily-ever-after
thrown in - think Angelina Jolie and Naomi Watts morphed together. Add a
smidgen of Katniss Everdeen thrown in for that fun, action/adventure read
we all crave and you've got this great debut novel Pick it up now!

Mary Kennedy Eastham, M.A., MFA Author -
Squinting Over Water - Stories &
The Shadow of a Dog I Can't Forget
www.RP-Author.com/MKE
Profile Image for MissSusie.
1,515 reviews263 followers
June 20, 2017
I enjoyed this story a lot I read it in 3 sittings. The characters were all interesting and the motives behind their actions were sometimes a surprise.

I don't want to give too much away but I enjoyed the soul searching and the "what would you do" concepts in this story. I was also very satisfied with the ending of this story.

I would recommend this book if you like thrillers.

3 1/2 Stars
1 review2 followers
May 18, 2013
Wrong Place, Wrong Time is a suspenseful, action-packed thriller that is also redemptive and rewarding. Tilia Klebenov Jacobs creates a heroine who is tenacious and brave, and her writing is clever and funny, even while tackling material that is far from humorous. I look forward to reading more from this author!
Profile Image for Maricia Verma.
1 review
May 21, 2013
Wrong Place, Wrong Time is an action-packed thriller. I want Tsara to be my best friend! She is smart, sarcastic, and courageous. The plot is compelling, a kidnapping, and a flight through the woods pursued by less than honest cops! And more than one feel good moment. I loved it, and can't wait for more from this writer!
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
11 reviews
June 18, 2013
Great book overall. It had some slow spots, but for the most part it really kept me wanting more and was difficult to put down. The ending was somewhat predictable for an avid reader like myself, and yet it did have an unexpected twist. I would highly recommend this book and look forward to more by this author.
Profile Image for William.
132 reviews
June 30, 2013
i won this novel from goodreads giveaway .it the most exciting story that i read in a while , it kept me reading well into small hours of the nite a few times .makes die hard stories unrealistic in comparison .wrong place wrong time wud and will make a excellent story for a movie, i look forward to many more novels by tilia klebenov jacobs
Author 1 book3 followers
July 28, 2013
A very suspenseful story of a woman kidnapped in the mountains of New Hampshire. The setting is wonderful and I really sympathized with the main character's desperate need to return to her husband and child. Tilia Klebenov Jacobs dramatizes the tyranny that a powerful and wealthy landholder can exert on a rural community.
Profile Image for Joey Paul.
Author 26 books588 followers
March 25, 2014
Wrong Place, Wrong Time is well written and a great view into what it would be like to be taken by a stranger and held captive. It doesn't just deal with the actual crime, but the aftermath as well and is done so eloquently and in a believable manner. Tilia Klebenov Jacobs is an excellent writer from whom I will be looking to read more. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Celeste Ng.
Author 17 books92.6k followers
Read
December 31, 2013
I met the author in a seminar and was excited to read this book. It was a gripping read, wryly written, raising big questions about right and wrong, morality, and the idea of revenge. An excellent vacation read that you'll still be thinking about long after you return home.
4,416 reviews28 followers
September 5, 2015
Wrong Place, Wrong Time review

Wrong Place, Wrong Time is a fast paced suspense story written by author Tilia Klebenov Jacobs. A kidnapping of the wrong person for a perceived right reason.
2 reviews
September 19, 2015
Loved this book

The story never had a dull point. Normally stories end with the rescue. So much happened afterwards showing how everyone dealt with the ordeal. Couldn't put the book down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews

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