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The Escape
When two boys walk into the woods, and one comes out covered in blood, what would you believe?
Fletcher and Adam venture into the woods for an afternoon hike, but when day turns into night and neither boy returns, their town is thrown into turmoil. Avery, the detective's daughter, is the one to find Fletcher—disheveled, disoriented, and covered in blood. He has no memory of what happened, but Avery can't shake the feeling that something's off. When Adam's body is finally found, Avery is determined to uncover the truth. But if she stands by her gut, and Fletcher; is she standing by a friend, or a murderer? The answer might cost her her life.
Fletcher and Adam venture into the woods for an afternoon hike, but when day turns into night and neither boy returns, their town is thrown into turmoil. Avery, the detective's daughter, is the one to find Fletcher—disheveled, disoriented, and covered in blood. He has no memory of what happened, but Avery can't shake the feeling that something's off. When Adam's body is finally found, Avery is determined to uncover the truth. But if she stands by her gut, and Fletcher; is she standing by a friend, or a murderer? The answer might cost her her life.
256 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2015
78 people are currently reading
3544 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Jayne
28 books680 followersHannah is the author of the UNDERWORLD DETECTION AGENCY CHRONICLES from Kensington books and the upcoming young adult thrillers TRULY, MADLY, DEADLY and SEE JANE RUN available from Sourcebooks, Inc. When she's not battling the demons of the Underworld or tackling a murderer at Hawthorne High, Jayne kicks her feet up in her San Francisco bay area home and attempts to share couch space with two enormous cats.
Now that you're here, kick up your feet and stay awhile...
Now that you're here, kick up your feet and stay awhile...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
June 28, 2015
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Fire and NetGalley.)
“’I’m going to die’.
The thought came to him with a sickening dread.
‘I don’t want to die.’”
This was a pretty good murder/mystery story, and I think the best book I have read by this author.
I felt quite sorry for Fletcher in this book, he had obviously been through something really traumatic, and was lucky to be alive, and to not know what happened to him on top of all that was awful.
“They went hiking this morning and haven’t come back yet.”
Avery was so intent on helping Fletcher and trying to work out who the killer was, and she really cared about the threat to her community with the killer on the loose.
“I was walking out in the forest while a killer and a dead body were out there. The killer could have seen me.”
The storyline in this was about Fletcher and Avery trying to work out who the killer was, and exactly what happened that night in the woods. I quite liked the mystery aspect of the book, and I didn’t guess who the killer was!
There wasn’t really any romance in this book, but that wasn’t a bad thing.
“Is it true? Do serial killers have a type?”
The ending to this was pretty good, and I didn’t guess the twist or the killer!
7 out of 10
“’I’m going to die’.
The thought came to him with a sickening dread.
‘I don’t want to die.’”
This was a pretty good murder/mystery story, and I think the best book I have read by this author.
I felt quite sorry for Fletcher in this book, he had obviously been through something really traumatic, and was lucky to be alive, and to not know what happened to him on top of all that was awful.
“They went hiking this morning and haven’t come back yet.”
Avery was so intent on helping Fletcher and trying to work out who the killer was, and she really cared about the threat to her community with the killer on the loose.
“I was walking out in the forest while a killer and a dead body were out there. The killer could have seen me.”
The storyline in this was about Fletcher and Avery trying to work out who the killer was, and exactly what happened that night in the woods. I quite liked the mystery aspect of the book, and I didn’t guess who the killer was!
There wasn’t really any romance in this book, but that wasn’t a bad thing.
“Is it true? Do serial killers have a type?”
The ending to this was pretty good, and I didn’t guess the twist or the killer!
7 out of 10
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July 8, 2015After being a little disappointed in a prior book by this author, I was hesitant to try this. I ended up liking this overall. The premise and the atmosphere of suspense were very well done, though I thought the character development was a bit thin and the ending a little shaky.
The Escape is YA psychological suspense with a solid set-up: two boys go for a hike in the woods, but only one comes out, badly beaten and with amnesia. The police chief's daughter, Avery, goes to school with the surviving boy, and the story is told in alternating third person from their points of view. After the body of the missing boy is discovered, the surviving boy's classmates turn on him for not being able to remember, and he begins to feel like he's losing his mind. Avery is sympathetic and decides to help him solve the mystery of what happened in the woods.
I liked that the book didn't reveal which boy survived right off (you can probably guess, but JIC I didn't use names here). The alternating third POV (survivor and Avery) had its pros and cons. I really liked the boy's POV, but since he had amnesia the book did need the grounding of Avery's POV. Problem was, Avery ended up seeming like sort of a sidekick, so that left the book with a bit of a rudderless feel.
Everything was suspenseful up until the end, which is where things sort of fell apart for me.
In sum: if you are looking for a diverting summer read and don't mind a few pesky plot holes, give this a try!
The Escape is YA psychological suspense with a solid set-up: two boys go for a hike in the woods, but only one comes out, badly beaten and with amnesia. The police chief's daughter, Avery, goes to school with the surviving boy, and the story is told in alternating third person from their points of view. After the body of the missing boy is discovered, the surviving boy's classmates turn on him for not being able to remember, and he begins to feel like he's losing his mind. Avery is sympathetic and decides to help him solve the mystery of what happened in the woods.
I liked that the book didn't reveal which boy survived right off (you can probably guess, but JIC I didn't use names here). The alternating third POV (survivor and Avery) had its pros and cons. I really liked the boy's POV, but since he had amnesia the book did need the grounding of Avery's POV. Problem was, Avery ended up seeming like sort of a sidekick, so that left the book with a bit of a rudderless feel.
Everything was suspenseful up until the end, which is where things sort of fell apart for me.
In sum: if you are looking for a diverting summer read and don't mind a few pesky plot holes, give this a try!
November 30, 2016
I liked the mystery element of this one although I worked it out quite early. It was a good and fast paced read, without anything madly special about it. Engaging and enjoyable if you like a good murder/psychological thriller that sits on the cusp of YA to Adult.
June 20, 2015
Avery was a good character in a good mystery. However, it was a little predictable and felt rushed at the end. I hate stupid protagonists who don't listen to authority figures. Avery did some things smart by talking to her dad, but in the end she succumbed to jumping off a cliff without a parachute.
February 11, 2017
With so many positive reviews, I was eager to read The Escape. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to expectations for me.
While Avery has a lot of potential as a budding detective, the writing doesn't do her justice. The book gets repetitive and drags through the middle, rehashing again and again the problem with Fletcher's memory. The ending is rushed, devoting only a page for the wrap-up, which explains that Fletcher's mother was involved in trying to cover up her son's involvement...by covertly accusing him of being the killer and trying to run Avery off the road. It doesn't make a lot of sense.
The author also fails to explain several elements that were introduced in the book, like who beat up Fletcher, or Adam's stash of money or highly questionable knife collection. Or the animal graveyard. That could have taken the book in a more interesting direction if Adam had been displaying signs of the Macdonald Triad (for sociopathy.)
Instead the author decided to pin the murder on someone with schizophrenia, and have an entire group of adults working to hide that from the one teenager who spent the most time with Fletcher. In the 21st century, mental illness shouldn't be presented as something nasty and needing to be covered up, and if the author had done just a teensy bit of research, she would know people with schizophrenia are fourteen times more likely to be victims and have issues with suicide or substance abuse than they are to be violent.
That's not to say people with schizophrenia can't be murderers, but it seems irresponsible to write a book being sold to a new and more educated generation of teenagers, present Fletcher as someone who is being treated for schizophrenia, and who is a murderer, and to not discuss those facts in the wrap-up of the story - which, as I mentioned, was only a page long. It's not like it was running long and needed to be cut short or something.
So, to wrap this up...I'm pretty disappointed. I hope the author strives to do better in the future, because her writing has a lot of potential.
While Avery has a lot of potential as a budding detective, the writing doesn't do her justice. The book gets repetitive and drags through the middle, rehashing again and again the problem with Fletcher's memory. The ending is rushed, devoting only a page for the wrap-up, which explains that Fletcher's mother was involved in trying to cover up her son's involvement...by covertly accusing him of being the killer and trying to run Avery off the road. It doesn't make a lot of sense.
The author also fails to explain several elements that were introduced in the book, like who beat up Fletcher, or Adam's stash of money or highly questionable knife collection. Or the animal graveyard. That could have taken the book in a more interesting direction if Adam had been displaying signs of the Macdonald Triad (for sociopathy.)
Instead the author decided to pin the murder on someone with schizophrenia, and have an entire group of adults working to hide that from the one teenager who spent the most time with Fletcher. In the 21st century, mental illness shouldn't be presented as something nasty and needing to be covered up, and if the author had done just a teensy bit of research, she would know people with schizophrenia are fourteen times more likely to be victims and have issues with suicide or substance abuse than they are to be violent.
That's not to say people with schizophrenia can't be murderers, but it seems irresponsible to write a book being sold to a new and more educated generation of teenagers, present Fletcher as someone who is being treated for schizophrenia, and who is a murderer, and to not discuss those facts in the wrap-up of the story - which, as I mentioned, was only a page long. It's not like it was running long and needed to be cut short or something.
So, to wrap this up...I'm pretty disappointed. I hope the author strives to do better in the future, because her writing has a lot of potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2015
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: A psychological thriller, a little more than the normal whodunit.
Opening Sentence: “Come on, loser! Adam yelled over his shoulder.”
The Review:
I was grabbed and hauled along for the ride. Two boys go for a hike in the woods, Adam and Fletcher. In less than 24 hours they go missing and a search is organized. Avery is the police chief’s daughter and she is the one who stumbles onto Fletcher. He’s badly beaten and barely alive, but Adam is nowhere to be found. A couple of days later Adam is found dead.
So the set-up is there, all the players are laid out and now we are off on the ride to figure out who did it. Let me say, that I did enjoy the book immensely; it was suspenseful and kept you on the edge. That is what I like in a thriller, not suspecting until near the conclusion who really killed Adam. Avery is a resourceful and intelligent main character trying to solve who attacked one of her friends and killed another. One of the things I really liked about her and why she made a strong connection with me is her willingness to stand up for what she believes in. That is a strong message for a YA book and a really positive one for young girls. Doing what you know or believe to be right might not be the popular choice, but it makes you a better person. Avery is the very definition of that, she goes out of her way throughout the whole book to be a friend and a real human being.
I really hate spoilers, so I am going to throw in some teasers so you can see what I mean. The elements involved really make you wonder what is going on. Is there something sinister, paranormal or what, and playing that guessing game really is what makes this book good. For example, before Fletcher even comes home from the hospital he is hearing voices, or whispers. In that same instance Avery runs into a police officer who says he was just visiting Fletcher, but when Avery asks Fletcher about it he has no clue who the police officer is. There are more of these scenes in the book and they all help set up the suspense and keep you guessing about what really happened.
Notable Scenes:
“The person who did this to Fletcher- the person who attacked him and Adam-had to be a monster.”
“Oh my God, I’, like every stupid girl in a horror movie.”
“Adam was pointing to a crisscross of bleached, white bones.”
FTC Advisory: Sourcebooks Fire provided me with a copy of The Escape. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. All quotes may be different in the finished copy.
Quick & Dirty: A psychological thriller, a little more than the normal whodunit.
Opening Sentence: “Come on, loser! Adam yelled over his shoulder.”
The Review:
I was grabbed and hauled along for the ride. Two boys go for a hike in the woods, Adam and Fletcher. In less than 24 hours they go missing and a search is organized. Avery is the police chief’s daughter and she is the one who stumbles onto Fletcher. He’s badly beaten and barely alive, but Adam is nowhere to be found. A couple of days later Adam is found dead.
So the set-up is there, all the players are laid out and now we are off on the ride to figure out who did it. Let me say, that I did enjoy the book immensely; it was suspenseful and kept you on the edge. That is what I like in a thriller, not suspecting until near the conclusion who really killed Adam. Avery is a resourceful and intelligent main character trying to solve who attacked one of her friends and killed another. One of the things I really liked about her and why she made a strong connection with me is her willingness to stand up for what she believes in. That is a strong message for a YA book and a really positive one for young girls. Doing what you know or believe to be right might not be the popular choice, but it makes you a better person. Avery is the very definition of that, she goes out of her way throughout the whole book to be a friend and a real human being.
I really hate spoilers, so I am going to throw in some teasers so you can see what I mean. The elements involved really make you wonder what is going on. Is there something sinister, paranormal or what, and playing that guessing game really is what makes this book good. For example, before Fletcher even comes home from the hospital he is hearing voices, or whispers. In that same instance Avery runs into a police officer who says he was just visiting Fletcher, but when Avery asks Fletcher about it he has no clue who the police officer is. There are more of these scenes in the book and they all help set up the suspense and keep you guessing about what really happened.
Notable Scenes:
“The person who did this to Fletcher- the person who attacked him and Adam-had to be a monster.”
“Oh my God, I’, like every stupid girl in a horror movie.”
“Adam was pointing to a crisscross of bleached, white bones.”
FTC Advisory: Sourcebooks Fire provided me with a copy of The Escape. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. All quotes may be different in the finished copy.
July 7, 2015
See this review and more on my blog, Lilybloombooks
Suspense & thrillers have been one of many up and coming genres on my LOVE list. Heart pounding action, nail-biting anticipation and a mystery to unravel - I love it. Good young adult thrillers are few and far in between, and if here is one author that can write a good one - it's Hannah Jayne.
From the very first page - we are thrust into action; having the opening scene the two boys in the woods and the attack. Hannah is an artist at creating these intense, heart pounding scenes that have me looking over my shoulder frequently.
I loved the alternating POV between Avery and Fletcher. Fletcher is having flash backs to that day - and with each time we get his POV we learn small bits about what had happened. Avery, the policy chief's daughter - is determined to stick by Fletcher and help him figure out why he blocked out the incident.
I liked Avery and her determination to stick with Fletcher and find out what happened. There were times I thought her actions were pretty stupid - which is a common theme for me in this genre - but she was pretty resourceful and smart. Her dad trained her well. :)
It's hard to really get into plot details because of spoilers - but how everything eventually pieced together was brilliant. There are a few things that did have me questioning, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. There are also things left unresolved, or unanswered if you will - but I love not knowing EVERYTHING. My only small issue was where it ended - I was hoping for an epilogue of some sorts. Yet at the same time - the story that was to be told was told. If that makes sense.
Overall - I quite enjoyed The Escape. I am 2-1 on Hannah's novels and I can't wait to dive into more of her works.
Suspense & thrillers have been one of many up and coming genres on my LOVE list. Heart pounding action, nail-biting anticipation and a mystery to unravel - I love it. Good young adult thrillers are few and far in between, and if here is one author that can write a good one - it's Hannah Jayne.
From the very first page - we are thrust into action; having the opening scene the two boys in the woods and the attack. Hannah is an artist at creating these intense, heart pounding scenes that have me looking over my shoulder frequently.
I loved the alternating POV between Avery and Fletcher. Fletcher is having flash backs to that day - and with each time we get his POV we learn small bits about what had happened. Avery, the policy chief's daughter - is determined to stick by Fletcher and help him figure out why he blocked out the incident.
I liked Avery and her determination to stick with Fletcher and find out what happened. There were times I thought her actions were pretty stupid - which is a common theme for me in this genre - but she was pretty resourceful and smart. Her dad trained her well. :)
It's hard to really get into plot details because of spoilers - but how everything eventually pieced together was brilliant. There are a few things that did have me questioning, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. There are also things left unresolved, or unanswered if you will - but I love not knowing EVERYTHING. My only small issue was where it ended - I was hoping for an epilogue of some sorts. Yet at the same time - the story that was to be told was told. If that makes sense.
Overall - I quite enjoyed The Escape. I am 2-1 on Hannah's novels and I can't wait to dive into more of her works.
July 10, 2015
I received a Digital ARC of this book from Sourcebooks Fire in exchange for an honest review. By no means have my review been affected and/or influenced.
I can't say that I've read enough Mystery/Thriller books but the premise of these stories are starting to get very common.
The Escape is set in small town where nothing bad ever happens but suddenly disturbed by a mysterious crime. And there is one witness/survivor that suffers from a traumatic amnesia which makes his memory the key to the mystery. In simpler words, we just have to keep turning the page until his memory comes back (if it ever comes back) and the mystery is solved.
Adam and Fletcher are unlikely to be friends. Adam is the golden boy, Fletcher is the weird one. One afternoon, they decided to go on a hike in the woods but they never returned.
Avery is the police chief’s daughter, she is also a part of the search team for the missing teenagers. In their search in the woods, she finds a badly beaten and bloody Fletcher. Few days after, Adam's body is discovered.
The big question is what happened in the woods? Who killed Adam and left Fletcher for dead?
Some characters were made to look suspicious but I really didn't buy it because they appear to be a little too obvious. It's like they're wearing a note on their forehead saying, "I'm a booby trap! Please avoid!". These characters I'm talking about are disguised to make you suspect them but you can tell it's just a bait.
The clues were obvious too. When I saw it, the mystery (quite) solved itself. (It's on page 134, don't look it up!) But I still had to carry on reading. Don't we all have the need to know what actually happened? Or at least prove our suspicions? I was still bracing myself, gripping my book tightly. Oh wait, I was reading on desktop so I didn't actually do that. still wanting my questions to be answered. Although, some of the scenes were predictable. Like the Avery-Fletcher love-or-whatever thing they have. Or when , you already know something is about to happen.
Let's skip to the ending before I spoil everything.
Yes, let's talk about the ending. The ending... was very anticlimatic. It felt too rushed and really didn't work for me. After waiting too long for the roller coaster to reach the highest point before the big drop, it just fell flat. Or maybe it's just the fact I can't accept how things ended up.
See more of this review at Beatrice Learns To Read
I can't say that I've read enough Mystery/Thriller books but the premise of these stories are starting to get very common.
The Escape is set in small town where nothing bad ever happens but suddenly disturbed by a mysterious crime. And there is one witness/survivor that suffers from a traumatic amnesia which makes his memory the key to the mystery. In simpler words, we just have to keep turning the page until his memory comes back (if it ever comes back) and the mystery is solved.
Adam and Fletcher are unlikely to be friends. Adam is the golden boy, Fletcher is the weird one. One afternoon, they decided to go on a hike in the woods but they never returned.
Avery is the police chief’s daughter, she is also a part of the search team for the missing teenagers. In their search in the woods, she finds a badly beaten and bloody Fletcher. Few days after, Adam's body is discovered.
The big question is what happened in the woods? Who killed Adam and left Fletcher for dead?
Some characters were made to look suspicious but I really didn't buy it because they appear to be a little too obvious. It's like they're wearing a note on their forehead saying, "I'm a booby trap! Please avoid!". These characters I'm talking about are disguised to make you suspect them but you can tell it's just a bait.
The clues were obvious too. When I saw it, the mystery (quite) solved itself. (It's on page 134, don't look it up!) But I still had to carry on reading. Don't we all have the need to know what actually happened? Or at least prove our suspicions? I was still bracing myself,
Let's skip to the ending before I spoil everything.
Yes, let's talk about the ending. The ending... was very anticlimatic. It felt too rushed and really didn't work for me. After waiting too long for the roller coaster to reach the highest point before the big drop, it just fell flat. Or maybe it's just the fact I can't accept how things ended up.
See more of this review at Beatrice Learns To Read
June 21, 2015
I was looking forward to an awesome psychological mystery/thriller, but ended up with what can nicely be described as a fail.
Firstly, our MC is the daughter of a police chief, but somehow thinks she can do a better job than him of solving a crime. That’s right. Our 16 year-old is much more equipped to figure out the culprit in a gruesome assault and murder…than an actual trained police officer with years of experience. And pretty much says this to his face. Of course. This trope needs to die already.
"You stopped your investigation, Dad! What else were we supposed to do? You impounded Fletcher's car and searched his room and house. No one is out looking for the person who really did this!"
Avery also breaks into the dead boy's house, goes into his bedroom, and literally says "Okay, now to find a motive" as she searches his room. /headdesk
In short, she also makes dumbass decisions, deliberately disobeys her father and then cries when bad things happen. Boo freaking hoo.
Secondly, there were things that were illogical or simply didn’t work for me. For instance, the dude who’s been beaten nearly to the point of death is more focused on his puppy love for Avery:
"He had never been this close to a girl before...He didn't even know why he had asked for her...Maybe it was because she was kind of alone like him, or because she had been through something traumatic too. Maybe it was because she had been the one to find him...Fletcher watch Avery's fingers - delicate and slim- brush a lock of hair from his face. The light pressure from her fingers sent a shiver through him.
Or there’s the fact that after barely having spoken a word to each other through their school lives, Avery is suddenly defending Fletcher and calling him her best friend and they’re hanging out like buddies. This dude you know nothing about and is a potential suspect in a murder. That is not really in your interest of self-preservation, Avery.
Also, slut-shaming. Delightful.
It was Kaylee Cooper, a girl who sported a wardrobe full of pink fuzzy sweaters and cheerleading skirts that barely covered her butt...She was popular for being a tease or a slut, Avery couldn't remember which, and she never moved without a swarm of girls orbiting her.
And body snarking. I'm tired of the trope that if our girl is thin (i.e. the desired body shape in society, let's face it), she's always self-deprecating her figure as that of a boy's.
The girl stood a whole head taller than Avery and had boobs that generously filled her black-and-red T-shirt. Avery sank deeper into her sweatshirt, painfully aware that she had the body of a twelve year-old boy.
The portrayal of an unreliable narrator’s perspective also doesn’t work well here. I can’t go into it too much because spoilers, but it basically starts out one way and then near the end switches to something else - which if it followed logic - should have been there from the beginning! The twist of a certain person’s condition just doesn’t work or make sense here.
Finally, overexaggerated scary-movie effects – rustling noises, windows wide open, etc were probably meant to enhance the tense atmosphere of a creepy murderer lurking behind the couch waiting to kill you, but honestly just made me roll my eyes.
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Firstly, our MC is the daughter of a police chief, but somehow thinks she can do a better job than him of solving a crime. That’s right. Our 16 year-old is much more equipped to figure out the culprit in a gruesome assault and murder…than an actual trained police officer with years of experience. And pretty much says this to his face. Of course. This trope needs to die already.
"You stopped your investigation, Dad! What else were we supposed to do? You impounded Fletcher's car and searched his room and house. No one is out looking for the person who really did this!"
Avery also breaks into the dead boy's house, goes into his bedroom, and literally says "Okay, now to find a motive" as she searches his room. /headdesk
In short, she also makes dumbass decisions, deliberately disobeys her father and then cries when bad things happen. Boo freaking hoo.
Secondly, there were things that were illogical or simply didn’t work for me. For instance, the dude who’s been beaten nearly to the point of death is more focused on his puppy love for Avery:
"He had never been this close to a girl before...He didn't even know why he had asked for her...Maybe it was because she was kind of alone like him, or because she had been through something traumatic too. Maybe it was because she had been the one to find him...Fletcher watch Avery's fingers - delicate and slim- brush a lock of hair from his face. The light pressure from her fingers sent a shiver through him.
Or there’s the fact that after barely having spoken a word to each other through their school lives, Avery is suddenly defending Fletcher and calling him her best friend and they’re hanging out like buddies. This dude you know nothing about and is a potential suspect in a murder. That is not really in your interest of self-preservation, Avery.
Also, slut-shaming. Delightful.
It was Kaylee Cooper, a girl who sported a wardrobe full of pink fuzzy sweaters and cheerleading skirts that barely covered her butt...She was popular for being a tease or a slut, Avery couldn't remember which, and she never moved without a swarm of girls orbiting her.
And body snarking. I'm tired of the trope that if our girl is thin (i.e. the desired body shape in society, let's face it), she's always self-deprecating her figure as that of a boy's.
The girl stood a whole head taller than Avery and had boobs that generously filled her black-and-red T-shirt. Avery sank deeper into her sweatshirt, painfully aware that she had the body of a twelve year-old boy.
The portrayal of an unreliable narrator’s perspective also doesn’t work well here. I can’t go into it too much because spoilers, but it basically starts out one way and then near the end switches to something else - which if it followed logic - should have been there from the beginning! The twist of a certain person’s condition just doesn’t work or make sense here.
Finally, overexaggerated scary-movie effects – rustling noises, windows wide open, etc were probably meant to enhance the tense atmosphere of a creepy murderer lurking behind the couch waiting to kill you, but honestly just made me roll my eyes.
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 29, 2015
A whodunit with a bad ass female investigator
Avery lived through a traumatic experience when she lost her mom to a drunk driver. Being the chief of police's daughter, also taught her that many of these crimes go unsolved. But when she finds Fletcher, a classmate, covered in blood and his buddy dead, Avery wants to find the killer no matter what. Even if this means becoming a target.
Jayne lead the reader on a wild goose chase by planting several possible suspects. Fletcher's blank memory after the attack, allowed us to imagine all these scenarios. Although, there were moments when a love possibility could bloom, Avery kept pressing on the case so much it made Fletcher take a step back. I often wonder why she would do this. Put a crime before love. Until I realized how solving one crime would help her accept the loss of her mom.
Even though, the killer's motives made less sense to me, I must admit, that the author placed a lot of effort at puzzling the entire story together and tying up the loose ends.
Avery lived through a traumatic experience when she lost her mom to a drunk driver. Being the chief of police's daughter, also taught her that many of these crimes go unsolved. But when she finds Fletcher, a classmate, covered in blood and his buddy dead, Avery wants to find the killer no matter what. Even if this means becoming a target.
Jayne lead the reader on a wild goose chase by planting several possible suspects. Fletcher's blank memory after the attack, allowed us to imagine all these scenarios. Although, there were moments when a love possibility could bloom, Avery kept pressing on the case so much it made Fletcher take a step back. I often wonder why she would do this. Put a crime before love. Until I realized how solving one crime would help her accept the loss of her mom.
Even though, the killer's motives made less sense to me, I must admit, that the author placed a lot of effort at puzzling the entire story together and tying up the loose ends.
March 5, 2017
This is the book after TWISTED and since it was the one chosen for our March BOTM in our psychological thriller group and I really enjoyed reading it I thought I would go ahead and read this one as well...And boy am I glad I did because it was the ESCAPE I was looking for...I was surprised at how things went in this one but I'm sure that once you start reading you won't want to ESCAPE or will you....Happy Reading
December 10, 2020
Avery is the daughter of the chief of police, and she knows a thing or two about detective work. When two of her sort of friends go missing, one is found dead and the other alive, she decides it’s time to put those skills to work.
Fletcher survived a killer, and his best friend Adam didn’t, but memories are coming back in bits and nothing is enough to find out what really happened.
This is a murder mystery filled with twists and turns, keeping you guessing the whole time! Wonderful book!
Fletcher survived a killer, and his best friend Adam didn’t, but memories are coming back in bits and nothing is enough to find out what really happened.
This is a murder mystery filled with twists and turns, keeping you guessing the whole time! Wonderful book!
December 21, 2015
The cover for author Hannah Jayne’s The Escape grabbed my attention but the novel’s premise hooked my intrigue. While it did sound like your basic amnesia/murder mystery story, I soon learned that The Escape by author Hannah Jayne was incredibly unique. The Escape was unlike most murder mysteries that I’ve had the opportunity to read. It was exciting and exhilarating and a total ride from start to finish.
In The Escape, Adam and Fletcher go into woods for a hike when they are both attacked. Uncertain of where they are or what is going on, it seems hopeless and unlikely that the two boys will find help. It isn’t until the Police Chief’s daughter, Avery, stumbles across Fletcher on a search party that the mystery of who attacked the two boys begins to unravel. When Adam is found murdered, both Fletcher and Avery begin to seek out just who it is that attacked them both. But as new information arises and strange flashbacks begin to haunt Fletcher, the killer’s true identity might be closer to the two of them than either of them know.
Honestly, I hadn’t expected myself to love The Escape was much as I did. I thought that it would be typical and average, but it turned out to be anything but. What immediately reeled me in was Jayne’s writing. There’s something about it that just works. It’s beautiful and descriptive. Readers will be able to imagine the setting with ease and find their hearts pounding often through Jayne’s use of descriptors and thoughtful prose. Her distinct style makes The Escape a wonderful read that takes hold of you and never lets go.
The point of view (POV) in The Escape switches between both Fletcher and Avery. It’s very interesting to live inside both characters’ heads. Mainly because both Fletcher and Avery have contrasting personalities that provide different insights into the story. Personally, I loved reading Fletcher’s POV. Jayne writes his character in a way that provides some major psychological implications. Fletcher isn’t ‘cool’ like Adam was. Fletcher is the less than average ‘weird kid’ and getting to see the story through his eyes was great.
If I were to describe The Escape to someone interested in reading, I would tell them that this novel is more than a murder mystery. It’s a psychological thriller than messes with your head. There’s a constant use of red herrings, making it impossible to fully know who the novel’s true antagonist is until its final pages. There are instances where you aren’t sure the force that Fletcher and Avery are up against is even human. It’s terrifying in the most spine-tingling way and I loved every moment of it.
I would recommend The Escape to readers who are big fans of murder mysteries with a twist. Any readers who are big fans of novels that are filled with nothing but heart-pounding action should definitely give The Escape a go. It’s a thrilling novel that you could easily finish in one sitting and will leave you breathless.
In The Escape, Adam and Fletcher go into woods for a hike when they are both attacked. Uncertain of where they are or what is going on, it seems hopeless and unlikely that the two boys will find help. It isn’t until the Police Chief’s daughter, Avery, stumbles across Fletcher on a search party that the mystery of who attacked the two boys begins to unravel. When Adam is found murdered, both Fletcher and Avery begin to seek out just who it is that attacked them both. But as new information arises and strange flashbacks begin to haunt Fletcher, the killer’s true identity might be closer to the two of them than either of them know.
Honestly, I hadn’t expected myself to love The Escape was much as I did. I thought that it would be typical and average, but it turned out to be anything but. What immediately reeled me in was Jayne’s writing. There’s something about it that just works. It’s beautiful and descriptive. Readers will be able to imagine the setting with ease and find their hearts pounding often through Jayne’s use of descriptors and thoughtful prose. Her distinct style makes The Escape a wonderful read that takes hold of you and never lets go.
The point of view (POV) in The Escape switches between both Fletcher and Avery. It’s very interesting to live inside both characters’ heads. Mainly because both Fletcher and Avery have contrasting personalities that provide different insights into the story. Personally, I loved reading Fletcher’s POV. Jayne writes his character in a way that provides some major psychological implications. Fletcher isn’t ‘cool’ like Adam was. Fletcher is the less than average ‘weird kid’ and getting to see the story through his eyes was great.
If I were to describe The Escape to someone interested in reading, I would tell them that this novel is more than a murder mystery. It’s a psychological thriller than messes with your head. There’s a constant use of red herrings, making it impossible to fully know who the novel’s true antagonist is until its final pages. There are instances where you aren’t sure the force that Fletcher and Avery are up against is even human. It’s terrifying in the most spine-tingling way and I loved every moment of it.
I would recommend The Escape to readers who are big fans of murder mysteries with a twist. Any readers who are big fans of novels that are filled with nothing but heart-pounding action should definitely give The Escape a go. It’s a thrilling novel that you could easily finish in one sitting and will leave you breathless.
October 4, 2018
THE ESCAPE
Written by Hannah Jayne
2015; Sourcebooks Fire (256 Pages)
Genre: young adult, suspense, mystery, fiction, standalone
RATING:★★
When I first got my eReader (Kobo Touch) I was crazy with the $.99 deals on book sites, and the first book from Hannah Jayne's paranormal/urban fantasy was one I bought but have yet to read (I am trying to start too many series without finishing a few first). When I saw Jayne's name on the cover of a book on NetGalley I had to read the synopsis. I was intrigued that this novel written by Jayne was for young adults and also suspense (without any paranormal aspects). Once I was approved I downloaded on to eReader and sat back for the ride.
Two young teens, Adam and Fletcher, go for an afternoon hike and when they don't return a search party is sent out to find them. Avery, our narrator and daughter of the detective in charge, is the one who finds Fletcher battered and bloody. As Fletcher starts to come to he discovers that his friend Adam did not survive and has no memory of what happened. As Fletcher, the odd kid with the broken family, finds himself in the spotlight of his small town, he also wonders of he is still in danger. Avery, who was a good friend of Adam finds herself in the middle of the case and determine to find the truth. As Avery and Fletcher try to discover what really happened out there that day they might be getting to close to the killer.
While I understand this is a young adult novel and it needs to be appropriate for the age group, I still found this read way too predictable. You pretty much know who the killer is from the first few chapters. Yet, I have read predictable mysteries that still keep me reading because I want to see how it all unfolds and the characters are worth getting to know. I did not find this in this novel. The killer is A and...nothing suspense-y happens. I grew up reading Lois Duncan, R.L. Stine, Christopher Pike, etc which were young adult novels (and most predictable) but the characters were interesting and the seeing the story unfold had me gripping the paperback. This is not her first young adult suspense so I will probably definitely give her another try.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
My Novelesque Blog
Written by Hannah Jayne
2015; Sourcebooks Fire (256 Pages)
Genre: young adult, suspense, mystery, fiction, standalone
RATING:★★
When I first got my eReader (Kobo Touch) I was crazy with the $.99 deals on book sites, and the first book from Hannah Jayne's paranormal/urban fantasy was one I bought but have yet to read (I am trying to start too many series without finishing a few first). When I saw Jayne's name on the cover of a book on NetGalley I had to read the synopsis. I was intrigued that this novel written by Jayne was for young adults and also suspense (without any paranormal aspects). Once I was approved I downloaded on to eReader and sat back for the ride.
Two young teens, Adam and Fletcher, go for an afternoon hike and when they don't return a search party is sent out to find them. Avery, our narrator and daughter of the detective in charge, is the one who finds Fletcher battered and bloody. As Fletcher starts to come to he discovers that his friend Adam did not survive and has no memory of what happened. As Fletcher, the odd kid with the broken family, finds himself in the spotlight of his small town, he also wonders of he is still in danger. Avery, who was a good friend of Adam finds herself in the middle of the case and determine to find the truth. As Avery and Fletcher try to discover what really happened out there that day they might be getting to close to the killer.
While I understand this is a young adult novel and it needs to be appropriate for the age group, I still found this read way too predictable. You pretty much know who the killer is from the first few chapters. Yet, I have read predictable mysteries that still keep me reading because I want to see how it all unfolds and the characters are worth getting to know. I did not find this in this novel. The killer is A and...nothing suspense-y happens. I grew up reading Lois Duncan, R.L. Stine, Christopher Pike, etc which were young adult novels (and most predictable) but the characters were interesting and the seeing the story unfold had me gripping the paperback. This is not her first young adult suspense so I will probably definitely give her another try.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
My Novelesque Blog
July 7, 2015
Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for providing me with this free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this book a lot. I suspected so many people. I just knew it was Det. Blount who did it. Seemed strange he just showed up at the hospital when he wasn't on duty and acted weird when Avery saw him. But, I was wrong. Believe me, that's not a spoiler, there are so many suspects in this book, you don't know who in the heck it could be.
I think the author did a great job and certainly kept me interested and my heart racing. This is definitely worth a read in my book and is good for YA as well as adults.
I really liked this book a lot. I suspected so many people. I just knew it was Det. Blount who did it. Seemed strange he just showed up at the hospital when he wasn't on duty and acted weird when Avery saw him. But, I was wrong. Believe me, that's not a spoiler, there are so many suspects in this book, you don't know who in the heck it could be.
I think the author did a great job and certainly kept me interested and my heart racing. This is definitely worth a read in my book and is good for YA as well as adults.
July 15, 2015
I've not read anything by this author before. I really liked this story.
Two boys Adam and Fletcher go hiking in the woods. When they don't come home a search is started to look for them. Avery the detectives daughter finds Fletcher who is badly injured and traumatised. Unfortunately he can't remember what happened.
When Adam is found dead Avery wants to find out who did it.
This was a really great YA psychological mystery. I didn't guess who did it so that's an added bonus for me. I read this pretty quickly as it was a definite page turner for me.
Looking forward to reading more of this authors books. Loved it.
Two boys Adam and Fletcher go hiking in the woods. When they don't come home a search is started to look for them. Avery the detectives daughter finds Fletcher who is badly injured and traumatised. Unfortunately he can't remember what happened.
When Adam is found dead Avery wants to find out who did it.
This was a really great YA psychological mystery. I didn't guess who did it so that's an added bonus for me. I read this pretty quickly as it was a definite page turner for me.
Looking forward to reading more of this authors books. Loved it.
November 3, 2015
The Escape is a book about two boys who venture into the woods for a hike. After they have been missing for a while, some of the community forms a search and rescue team. The detective’s daughter, Avery happens to find a distressed and wounded Fletcher, one of the boys who went on the hike. Avery is determined to find out what happened to the boys in the woods. I recommend this book is you like a good mystery. Although it wasn’t my favorite book it still kept me reading. There are parts in the book were it got a little boring but once you get through that part it once again is a wonderful book.
August 30, 2015
Well, this book is about 2 boys who go into the woods, and 1 comes back alive. So as the other one who didn't, his body is found, and the one who was alive went thru a few problems. The boys best friend happens to be Avery, who is the daughter of the Chief of Police, and of course Avery is trying to be another Nancy Drew. This is a young book for ages 13-17...Not for the older folks, but it sure was a good read, and a different twist at the end.
February 14, 2017
Ok because I literally read this book in less than twenty-four hours (which was totally not planned mind you) I never got a chance to mark The Escape as Currently Reading or post any updates about it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2017
Predictable with a capital P.
November 12, 2019
In the beginning of the story, Adam and Fletcher are on a walk in the woods until no one hears from them in hours. There is a search team out in the woods looking for the two boys but they only find one. The body that they find is Fletcher’s and the one who found it was Avery, but Fletcher doesn’t know what happened to him and Adam nor where Adam is. In the middle of the story, Avery is with Fletcher most of the time trying to help gain his memory from what happened in the woods. They soon find out that Adam was murdered. Then Fletcher remembers that he was the one who murdered Adam and is now trying to kill Avery. Fletcher keeps getting these small flashbacks from the woods and every time he tries to think about them, he gets massive headaches and black outs. The book takes a big turn in the ending. Towards the end, Avery's dad thinks that Fletcher's mom was the one who killed Adam. On page 171, it say "Fletcher can't remember the face of his attacker. What if it's because his brain can't handle it? What if his brain is trying to protected him from knowing that his mother is a murderer?".Avery and her dad found out that Fletcher has schizophrenia. They found a little bit more about Fletcher and how he tried to kill his sister. The police put Fletcher in jail and he receives help there.
The characters in the book are Fletcher who is the weird kid and has schizophrenia. Avery who is the chief's daughter. Chief templeton worked with the police and Adam was a quarterback for the high school football team. The setting takes place in a few places. The settings are the woods, the police station, the hospital, and Avery’s house.
The characters in the book are Fletcher who is the weird kid and has schizophrenia. Avery who is the chief's daughter. Chief templeton worked with the police and Adam was a quarterback for the high school football team. The setting takes place in a few places. The settings are the woods, the police station, the hospital, and Avery’s house.
May 31, 2023
2.25⭐️
Ugh I so wanted to like this book but it really wasn't it. I read so many mysteries and thrillers that I have such high expectations for the genre. Compared to other books I've read from the genre, this book felt really lazy. The middle was very repetitive and not much happened. Then the ending felt very rushed and wasn't exactly predictable because it was so obvious that you probably ruled out the possibility in the beginning because you hoped the other would come up with something more creative. I really hoped this book would lead me out of my reading slump, but I'm still in it...
Ugh I so wanted to like this book but it really wasn't it. I read so many mysteries and thrillers that I have such high expectations for the genre. Compared to other books I've read from the genre, this book felt really lazy. The middle was very repetitive and not much happened. Then the ending felt very rushed and wasn't exactly predictable because it was so obvious that you probably ruled out the possibility in the beginning because you hoped the other would come up with something more creative. I really hoped this book would lead me out of my reading slump, but I'm still in it...
April 16, 2017
This is a fast, suspenseful read, but in the end I was a bit disappointed by this book. The ending is super rushed. There are several threads introduced that beg to be followed up on, but they're just left hanging. I wish the book was just a bit longer so that Jayne could wrap up those threads. It would have made the book more satisfying. Most of all, though, I'm troubled by the author's treatment of schizophrenia. To introduce that at the end but not to fully deal with it is irresponsible.
November 12, 2019
The book The Escape is mainly about four main characters. Fletcher is known as the weird kid, Adam is the football quarterback, Avery is the chief's daughter, and chief templeton works with the police.
This book is mainly about when Fletcher and Adam went on a hike and never came back. It states, "But when day turns into night and neither boy returns home, their town is thrown into turmoil." The search teams and Avery were looking all over for these two boys in the woods, when Avery all a sudden trips over a dead body with blood everywhere. She looks down and realizes that it is Fletcher's body but he is still alive. The next day they came upon Adam's dead body so Fletcher and Avery decide they are going to look for Adam's killer.
Fletcher had lost his memory so Avery takes him back to where Adam's body was to see if he remembers anything. It all goes down when Fletcher remembers he killed Adam and now he is trying to kill Avery too. Avery suddenly remembered the trails that she took before her mom had died and her only way out of getting killed by Fletcher was to take those trails.
Her dad finds her and she makes it back safety without Fletcher killing her.
This book is mainly about when Fletcher and Adam went on a hike and never came back. It states, "But when day turns into night and neither boy returns home, their town is thrown into turmoil." The search teams and Avery were looking all over for these two boys in the woods, when Avery all a sudden trips over a dead body with blood everywhere. She looks down and realizes that it is Fletcher's body but he is still alive. The next day they came upon Adam's dead body so Fletcher and Avery decide they are going to look for Adam's killer.
Fletcher had lost his memory so Avery takes him back to where Adam's body was to see if he remembers anything. It all goes down when Fletcher remembers he killed Adam and now he is trying to kill Avery too. Avery suddenly remembered the trails that she took before her mom had died and her only way out of getting killed by Fletcher was to take those trails.
Her dad finds her and she makes it back safety without Fletcher killing her.
September 19, 2022
The mystery was barely solved, and extremely unsatisfying. Main characters were not ones I could find myself rooting for, and the supposed twist at the end felt cheap in a way. Wouldn’t recommend really.
January 1, 2023
2.5 / 5 , ending was cut off really fast and the writing was repetitive
April 15, 2023
Fast paced, mystery and had me on edge. Great read
May 23, 2023
Stupid girl tries to dangerously solve obvious mystery herself. The plot is disjointed and filled with holes. Not them trying to wrap everything up on the last page! So silly. I didn’t hate it, it just was not good to me.
September 14, 2023
this couldve been so good. it was high 4 stars until literally 90% 😐
February 2, 2024
I just thought it was very repetitive. Dragged a bit.
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