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Broken Grace
On an icy winter’s day in southwest Michigan, Grace Abbot wakes up as the survivor of a car crash. But she’s left with a traumatic brain injury and a terrifying reality: she can’t remember anything.
Left in the care of her sister, Grace returns to the family’s secluded old farmhouse to recover—but within an hour of her return, the police arrive. Grace’s boyfriend has been murdered. Without any memory, Grace has no alibi.
With suspicion weighing heavily on her and flashes of memory returning, Grace searches for clues to her past. But with every glimpse, her anxiety grows. There is something about the house, her family, her childhood…perhaps the accident isn’t the only reason she can’t remember. Are the dark recesses of her mind hiding something even more sinister and terrifying than she could ever imagine?
And someone is watching. Someone willing to kill again to protect a secret.
Left in the care of her sister, Grace returns to the family’s secluded old farmhouse to recover—but within an hour of her return, the police arrive. Grace’s boyfriend has been murdered. Without any memory, Grace has no alibi.
With suspicion weighing heavily on her and flashes of memory returning, Grace searches for clues to her past. But with every glimpse, her anxiety grows. There is something about the house, her family, her childhood…perhaps the accident isn’t the only reason she can’t remember. Are the dark recesses of her mind hiding something even more sinister and terrifying than she could ever imagine?
And someone is watching. Someone willing to kill again to protect a secret.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2015
3653 people are currently reading
11959 people want to read
About the author
E.C. Diskin
4 books314 followersE.C. Diskin studied Radio/TV/Film and English in Texas (TCU), moved to New York to dance with a tap dance company in Soho, and finally became "an adult" when she moved to Chicago for law school. But after several years behind a desk, a drawer full of story ideas, and two little ones at home, she took a break from the law and began writing fiction. Fortunately, the fantasy of living a creative life became reality with the success of her debut legal thriller, The Green Line. Her second, Broken Grace, ventured into psych thrillers. Her third, Depth of Lies, dove into the veneers and secrets behind the closed doors of suburbia, and her latest, Desperate Paths, centers on one small town’s unraveling as secrets, lies, sex, guns, and extremists collide.
When she's not writing, designing spaces, or building furniture, she practices a little law on the side.
For more information, check out www.ecdiskin.com
Connect with Diskin at www.facebook.com/ECDiskin
When she's not writing, designing spaces, or building furniture, she practices a little law on the side.
For more information, check out www.ecdiskin.com
Connect with Diskin at www.facebook.com/ECDiskin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 970 reviews
May 31, 2016
“You’re wrong.”
Wow! Yes, I was wrong. Completely wrong. Wrong about everything and everyone.
Books like this are exactly why I reach for thrillers. I love when the smoke clears and reality hits and everything I held true is so wrong. Of course, I thought I had the suspect pinpointed a few times, only to be led in a entirely different direction.
The secrets and lies surrounding Grace and her foggy memories unraveled in a surprising way, but it was the major blow the author delivered within the final moments that really shook the foundation of everything I thought I knew. Kudos to E.C. Diskin. This is one I won't soon forget.
The romance reader in me would be disappointed if I didn't mention Hackett. Of course, I totally adored him and uncovering the connection he shared with Grace was part of the intrigue for me. Who am I kidding, it was a pretty big part.
If you’ve ever listened to an audiobook, you know narrators have the ability to make or break a story. These two narrators definitely added to my experience. I highly recommend giving this one a listen. I'm even considering picking up the book now.
Wow! Yes, I was wrong. Completely wrong. Wrong about everything and everyone.
Books like this are exactly why I reach for thrillers. I love when the smoke clears and reality hits and everything I held true is so wrong. Of course, I thought I had the suspect pinpointed a few times, only to be led in a entirely different direction.
The secrets and lies surrounding Grace and her foggy memories unraveled in a surprising way, but it was the major blow the author delivered within the final moments that really shook the foundation of everything I thought I knew. Kudos to E.C. Diskin. This is one I won't soon forget.
The romance reader in me would be disappointed if I didn't mention Hackett. Of course, I totally adored him and uncovering the connection he shared with Grace was part of the intrigue for me. Who am I kidding, it was a pretty big part.
If you’ve ever listened to an audiobook, you know narrators have the ability to make or break a story. These two narrators definitely added to my experience. I highly recommend giving this one a listen. I'm even considering picking up the book now.
April 11, 2017
"She spun around again and again, until she lost her balance and fell to her knees in the snow. "What's happening?" she screamed to the sky. Her voice echoed through the woods.
Grace Abbott now lives in the unsettling state of the truly unknown. She wakes after nearly dying in a terrible car crash. The prognosis is as foggy as the disconnect that has taken up space in her rattled brain. Will time and bed rest eventually bring back her lost sense of identity?
Her sister Lisa arrives at the hospital when she is discharged. Not even a glimmer of recognition. The farmhouse that they grew up in hardly fits into the slot of home. And there's more to this warped sense of reality awaiting Grace. Her fiance, Michael, had been brutally murdered in their apartment on the day of the accident. Could the murderer be after Grace now? How can she ever determine one good face from one bad?
E.C. Diskin has set the stage with a shifting platform of the wavering mind. The trauma that has encased her brain is now infiltrating into every part of her present life. Total dependency on others as a leading force is a terrifying thought. Diskin takes the reader through Grace's determination to sift through the shattered pieces of a life that was once hers. And then there's the element of trust when trust walks on very shaky legs.
Broken Grace may have some familiar elements from novels that you have read in the past. Girl loses memory. Someone evil is stalking her. Danger is around every corner. However, the ending jumps out of the bushes and smacks you alongside the head with the reality that there are some seriously evil residents living and co-existing on this planet of ours. I'll just let you go about the business of finding that out on your own.........
Grace Abbott now lives in the unsettling state of the truly unknown. She wakes after nearly dying in a terrible car crash. The prognosis is as foggy as the disconnect that has taken up space in her rattled brain. Will time and bed rest eventually bring back her lost sense of identity?
Her sister Lisa arrives at the hospital when she is discharged. Not even a glimmer of recognition. The farmhouse that they grew up in hardly fits into the slot of home. And there's more to this warped sense of reality awaiting Grace. Her fiance, Michael, had been brutally murdered in their apartment on the day of the accident. Could the murderer be after Grace now? How can she ever determine one good face from one bad?
E.C. Diskin has set the stage with a shifting platform of the wavering mind. The trauma that has encased her brain is now infiltrating into every part of her present life. Total dependency on others as a leading force is a terrifying thought. Diskin takes the reader through Grace's determination to sift through the shattered pieces of a life that was once hers. And then there's the element of trust when trust walks on very shaky legs.
Broken Grace may have some familiar elements from novels that you have read in the past. Girl loses memory. Someone evil is stalking her. Danger is around every corner. However, the ending jumps out of the bushes and smacks you alongside the head with the reality that there are some seriously evil residents living and co-existing on this planet of ours. I'll just let you go about the business of finding that out on your own.........
September 9, 2015
Grace Abbott runs out of the house, jumps in her car, and speeds away, noticing the car lights behind her. The next moment, she wakes up in the hospital, surviving a horrific crash. She has absolutely no memory of anything.
She's discharged into the care of her sister, Lisa. Thinking that things just couldn't get any worse, the police show up with the news that Grace's boyfriend has been murdered ..and Grace has no alibi... at least not one she can remember.
The author did a great job in making me feel as totally frustrated as Grace when the memories just didn't come .... the fear of the unknown. Did she kill her boyfriend? And why is her sister not telling her about their childhood?
One of the detectives seems pretty much convinced of her guilt .. the other knows something that he's holding back and not sharing with his partner. And what he knows might change everything.
The tension is there from the beginning. This was a fast-moving book and although I started stumbling across clues fairly early in the book, it's the ending that absolutely blew me away....twice!
I truly cannot find a reason not to give this one 5 stars .....
Thanks go to NetGalley / Amazon Publishing / Thomas Mercer for furnishing the digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
August 6, 2019
Tires crunching on gravel, she backs out of the driveway. Once on the road, she presses the gas, hurtling away from the house. Trees flash by in a blur. Suddenly a deer appears but she's unable to form a thought fast enough to react. In an instant, the big animal pitches over the bumper, crushing the hood, the windshield, the roof. The car Careens off the road, she hears the squeal of tires, the groaning and screeching of metal, the cracking, crunching of the splintering glass as the pinpricks of tiny glass slivers sting her skin as the shower over her. Cold air rushes into her face, stealing the breath from her lungs. Frantically she tries jamming her foot on the brake, misses, and accelerates instead. The car ploughs through the deep snow, colliding into something hard and unforgiving. Her head slams into the steering wheel, a deep, sharp pain grows in her scalp, something warm runs down her forhead into her eyes. Then a soft blackness envelopes her like an inviting darkness. She doesn't resist. Then nothing.
Grace wakes up in a white room, the smell of disinfectant in her nose, feeling a deep, blinding headache in her temples and behind her eyes. She takes a deep breath, instantly regretting it as sharp, searing pain bites her chest and ribs.
It's been one week since the accident and Grace will be going home today, wherever that is. She's going home with a sister, Lisa, whom she doesn't recognize and doesn't know. Dr. Roberts reassures Grace that the amnesia is only temporary, to be patient and is certain her memory will return given time. Grace has been told that she's very lucky to be alive but she's not so sure about that. She keeps the thought to herself, though, along with the feeling that her brain is an empty cavern and she feels lost and afraid.
When they arrive "home" Grace realizes that she remembers that this is the house she grew up in. There is a little comfort in this, she thinks. Once settled on the couch Lisa explains that Grace had been living with her boyfriend, Michael, for as far back as she can remember, but a week ago, the night before the accident,
Grace suddenly showed up on the doorstep saying that it's over between them. That Lisa hadn't had a chance to talk Grace before Grace left the next morning. Before the accident. Lisa tells Grace not to worry, that she will take care of her, just rest, take the medicines that Dr. Roberts gave her, and all will be fine.
Then the police knock on the door. They say they have some questions for Grace. They hand her a photo of a man and ask if she knows him. She searches for any recognition but comes up blank. He sister says this is Michael, her boyfriend, the one Grace had just ended the relationship with.
Then, they say that Michael is dead, murdered in his bed and they think it happened close to the time Grace had the accident. Lisa is shocked but Grace feels nothing. She doesn't know the man.
Now she has many, many more questions then she had a few minutes before. And so do the police. Grace, after all, doesn't have an alibi.
Detectives Boyd and Haskins are investigating the murder of Michael. Boyd is a veteran homicide detective This is Haskins first homicide case. Boyd has years of experience and strongly belives that Grace is probably their killer but he goes by the book and will see where the evidence leads them.
Haskins gut feeling is that Grace is not responsible for the murder though he can't reveal that he has a personal reasons for clearing Grace. He's determined to stay open-minded and follow the evidence no matter where it leads. and finding whoever did kill Michael. When the evidence begins pointing towards Grace Boyd is confident that she is guilty. Haskins isn't so sure. Personally he doesn't want to believe that Grace is capable of murder. He's also very suspicious about another person of interest they've been talking to but he has to find something in the evidence to prove it. And right now everthing still points directly at Grace.
Over the next few days Grace begins to remember bits and pieces of her childhood, memories of things connected to this house. And not all of them are comforting. Not at all. Why had she suddenly broken up with Michael? Why does her boss, Dave, keep hinting that they are close when Grace feels so disgusted by him? She asks her sister, Lisa, to tell her about their past, their childhood, their parents, Michael. Why do the answers Lisa provides seem all wrong?
Through the fog, Grace's memory begins to return. Terrifying flashes of horrors from her childhood begin to surface along with a terrible truth that she has long ago buried deep in her mind. As Grace continues digging into the deepest recesses of her mind for the lost memories a tangled web of lies slowly emerges. But Grace has no idea that regaining her memory may have very dangerous and deadly consequences.
Broken Grace by E.C. Diskin was an exciting, fast paced audiobook that captured my attention right from the beginning. The believable storyline had all the elements that make up a compelling, frightening, and exhilarating book. The characters were strong, interesting and well thought out. Narrators Emily Sutton Smith & Scott Merriman gave the story an added intensity and splendor.
This is the second audiobook that I have listened to and I have another on my first TBR shelf.
I did guess parts of the mystery correctly but it didn't diminish the book from being both absorbing and gripping in any way. Sometimes it's fun to be right as it almost never happens to me!
Still, I found that I couldn't stop listening and the very end took me completely by surprise! Overall this was a very enjoyable, entertaining audiobook and I highly recommend it!
Grace wakes up in a white room, the smell of disinfectant in her nose, feeling a deep, blinding headache in her temples and behind her eyes. She takes a deep breath, instantly regretting it as sharp, searing pain bites her chest and ribs.
It's been one week since the accident and Grace will be going home today, wherever that is. She's going home with a sister, Lisa, whom she doesn't recognize and doesn't know. Dr. Roberts reassures Grace that the amnesia is only temporary, to be patient and is certain her memory will return given time. Grace has been told that she's very lucky to be alive but she's not so sure about that. She keeps the thought to herself, though, along with the feeling that her brain is an empty cavern and she feels lost and afraid.
When they arrive "home" Grace realizes that she remembers that this is the house she grew up in. There is a little comfort in this, she thinks. Once settled on the couch Lisa explains that Grace had been living with her boyfriend, Michael, for as far back as she can remember, but a week ago, the night before the accident,
Grace suddenly showed up on the doorstep saying that it's over between them. That Lisa hadn't had a chance to talk Grace before Grace left the next morning. Before the accident. Lisa tells Grace not to worry, that she will take care of her, just rest, take the medicines that Dr. Roberts gave her, and all will be fine.
Then the police knock on the door. They say they have some questions for Grace. They hand her a photo of a man and ask if she knows him. She searches for any recognition but comes up blank. He sister says this is Michael, her boyfriend, the one Grace had just ended the relationship with.
Then, they say that Michael is dead, murdered in his bed and they think it happened close to the time Grace had the accident. Lisa is shocked but Grace feels nothing. She doesn't know the man.
Now she has many, many more questions then she had a few minutes before. And so do the police. Grace, after all, doesn't have an alibi.
Detectives Boyd and Haskins are investigating the murder of Michael. Boyd is a veteran homicide detective This is Haskins first homicide case. Boyd has years of experience and strongly belives that Grace is probably their killer but he goes by the book and will see where the evidence leads them.
Haskins gut feeling is that Grace is not responsible for the murder though he can't reveal that he has a personal reasons for clearing Grace. He's determined to stay open-minded and follow the evidence no matter where it leads. and finding whoever did kill Michael. When the evidence begins pointing towards Grace Boyd is confident that she is guilty. Haskins isn't so sure. Personally he doesn't want to believe that Grace is capable of murder. He's also very suspicious about another person of interest they've been talking to but he has to find something in the evidence to prove it. And right now everthing still points directly at Grace.
Over the next few days Grace begins to remember bits and pieces of her childhood, memories of things connected to this house. And not all of them are comforting. Not at all. Why had she suddenly broken up with Michael? Why does her boss, Dave, keep hinting that they are close when Grace feels so disgusted by him? She asks her sister, Lisa, to tell her about their past, their childhood, their parents, Michael. Why do the answers Lisa provides seem all wrong?
Through the fog, Grace's memory begins to return. Terrifying flashes of horrors from her childhood begin to surface along with a terrible truth that she has long ago buried deep in her mind. As Grace continues digging into the deepest recesses of her mind for the lost memories a tangled web of lies slowly emerges. But Grace has no idea that regaining her memory may have very dangerous and deadly consequences.
Broken Grace by E.C. Diskin was an exciting, fast paced audiobook that captured my attention right from the beginning. The believable storyline had all the elements that make up a compelling, frightening, and exhilarating book. The characters were strong, interesting and well thought out. Narrators Emily Sutton Smith & Scott Merriman gave the story an added intensity and splendor.
This is the second audiobook that I have listened to and I have another on my first TBR shelf.
I did guess parts of the mystery correctly but it didn't diminish the book from being both absorbing and gripping in any way. Sometimes it's fun to be right as it almost never happens to me!
Still, I found that I couldn't stop listening and the very end took me completely by surprise! Overall this was a very enjoyable, entertaining audiobook and I highly recommend it!
March 7, 2019
This is a compelling read ... an auto accident and a memory loss ... memory gradually recovering, revealing piece by piece a mix of destabilizing past events and a bizarre cast of characters ... followed by a rush of an ending, and surprises to the last page ... what more do you want in a psychological thriller?
August 25, 2017
this was a kindle unlimited find. another book featuring memory loss. a fast paced great read
April 21, 2016
Interesting concept
I give the book three stars because overall it is a good concept, but I'm not sure about the execution. A lot of the story is telegraphed from the start, you pretty much know where it's going, but getting there is interesting enough to keep the readers attention. Though I figured out fairly early on what was happening, I'm still slightly confused by the ending. The "twist" was predictable, but there is still an unanswered question left hanging. If the author is going to go that route, they really owe it to the reader to complete the story fully, not just hint at another possible twist without resolution. There is a whole subplot about the rookie cop that just seemed tacked on and out of place. If you need to kill a few hours on a plane or are just looking for something you can read for escapism, without putting too much effort into figuring out whodunit, I recommend this book. It's not really bad, just predictable. It earns three stars for concept, good grammar, and a fun way to kill some time. It loses two stars for predictability, useless subplots, and an unsatisfactory "twist" within a twist that isn't resolved to this reader's satisfaction.
I give the book three stars because overall it is a good concept, but I'm not sure about the execution. A lot of the story is telegraphed from the start, you pretty much know where it's going, but getting there is interesting enough to keep the readers attention. Though I figured out fairly early on what was happening, I'm still slightly confused by the ending. The "twist" was predictable, but there is still an unanswered question left hanging. If the author is going to go that route, they really owe it to the reader to complete the story fully, not just hint at another possible twist without resolution. There is a whole subplot about the rookie cop that just seemed tacked on and out of place. If you need to kill a few hours on a plane or are just looking for something you can read for escapism, without putting too much effort into figuring out whodunit, I recommend this book. It's not really bad, just predictable. It earns three stars for concept, good grammar, and a fun way to kill some time. It loses two stars for predictability, useless subplots, and an unsatisfactory "twist" within a twist that isn't resolved to this reader's satisfaction.
May 11, 2018
When we first meet Grace she is in a panic. She is driving away from something or someone horrible. She is driving too fast and hits a deer - then travels off the road and hits a tree. A week later she is being released from hospital. Released to Lisa, a woman whom the hospital staff say is her older sister. To twenty year-old Grace she is a stranger. All her memories are gone...
They tell her she attends university - that she waits tables part-time - that she is engaged to be married...
Lisa drives her to a somewhat remote Michigan farmhouse.
Lisa says that her parents are dead, and that the two girls now own the house. It is all too much for Grace who doesn't remember the house, and has the pain of broken ribs and a debilitating headache. Lisa seems conciliatory and makes her comfortable.
Later, two policemen come to the house. They tell her that her fiance has been murdered. This seems like a bizarre nightmare to Grace who cannot even remember Michael, her boyfriend. Bishop, the older policeman seems quite businesslike and abrupt, whilst the younger one, Hackett, seems friendly and caring. They want to know if Grace has an alibi for the time Michael was murdered. She does not - at least not one she can remember.
Meanwhile, Justin Hackett doesn't reveal to Bishop that he 'knows' Grace. He cares for her - but she doesn't remember him. Keeping his feelings for Grace a secret will come to jeopardize both the case, and his career.
With no memory of her former life, Grace is as broken as the title would suggest. Her sister, Lisa, tells her a little of her history but seems strangely reticent to divulge too much. Gradually Grace learns that she once had a twin sister, and that her parents had been murdered in this very house. Lisa hints that their parents were abusive.
When Lisa goes to work, she tells Grace not to go out. She leaves her food and all of her myriad medications. However, Grace is not taking all her meds so that she can be clear-headed enough to try to figure out what is happening to her - trying to regain some memories. She sees an old red pick-up truck in the yard and takes it into town...
She visits Dr. Newell, a psychologist, who tells her that she has psychogenic amnesia. She tells Dr. Newell that she is starting to wonder if her memory loss is a way of avoiding dealing with what she has done. She doesn't know if she is innocent or guilty of Michael's murder.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This novel grabs the reader from the beginning. You can't help but feel empathy for Grace's plight. On first impression, her relationship with Micheal seemed unhealthy. He was older than her and into gambling and drugs. The winter weather and the old farm house added to the novel's atmosphere. As events in Grace's past come to light, the reader roots for her. A plot twist near the end might surprise some readers.
I was previously unacquainted with E.C. Diskin, but intend to read her latest novel entitled "Depth of Lies" which was published September 2017.
I recommend "Broken Grace" to anyone who enjoys suspense/thriller novels.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley. This in no way influenced my rating or review of this book.
They tell her she attends university - that she waits tables part-time - that she is engaged to be married...
Lisa drives her to a somewhat remote Michigan farmhouse.
Lisa says that her parents are dead, and that the two girls now own the house. It is all too much for Grace who doesn't remember the house, and has the pain of broken ribs and a debilitating headache. Lisa seems conciliatory and makes her comfortable.
Later, two policemen come to the house. They tell her that her fiance has been murdered. This seems like a bizarre nightmare to Grace who cannot even remember Michael, her boyfriend. Bishop, the older policeman seems quite businesslike and abrupt, whilst the younger one, Hackett, seems friendly and caring. They want to know if Grace has an alibi for the time Michael was murdered. She does not - at least not one she can remember.
Meanwhile, Justin Hackett doesn't reveal to Bishop that he 'knows' Grace. He cares for her - but she doesn't remember him. Keeping his feelings for Grace a secret will come to jeopardize both the case, and his career.
With no memory of her former life, Grace is as broken as the title would suggest. Her sister, Lisa, tells her a little of her history but seems strangely reticent to divulge too much. Gradually Grace learns that she once had a twin sister, and that her parents had been murdered in this very house. Lisa hints that their parents were abusive.
When Lisa goes to work, she tells Grace not to go out. She leaves her food and all of her myriad medications. However, Grace is not taking all her meds so that she can be clear-headed enough to try to figure out what is happening to her - trying to regain some memories. She sees an old red pick-up truck in the yard and takes it into town...
She visits Dr. Newell, a psychologist, who tells her that she has psychogenic amnesia. She tells Dr. Newell that she is starting to wonder if her memory loss is a way of avoiding dealing with what she has done. She doesn't know if she is innocent or guilty of Michael's murder.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This novel grabs the reader from the beginning. You can't help but feel empathy for Grace's plight. On first impression, her relationship with Micheal seemed unhealthy. He was older than her and into gambling and drugs. The winter weather and the old farm house added to the novel's atmosphere. As events in Grace's past come to light, the reader roots for her. A plot twist near the end might surprise some readers.
I was previously unacquainted with E.C. Diskin, but intend to read her latest novel entitled "Depth of Lies" which was published September 2017.
I recommend "Broken Grace" to anyone who enjoys suspense/thriller novels.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley. This in no way influenced my rating or review of this book.
January 15, 2016
Broken Grace starts off with a killer chapter, you know, the kind that hooks you and makes you want to keep reading!
However, after this the book becomes a bit clichèd for a while. The memory loss reminds me a bit of Before I Go To Sleep (which I didn't love) so I was unsure whether I was going to enjoy reading.
Grace leaves hospital for recovery in her old home, in the care of her sister, and with no recollection of her life before her car accident, and then the police turn up. Grace's boyfriend has been found dead, in or around the same time as her accident, ergo she has no alibi,ergo she is essentially a suspect!
The story unfolds almost as a race against time, Grace's memories returning versus the murder investigation. These memories become terrifying visions of which she is unsure of. Are they real? Are they not?
Broken Grace has a decent plot, even though it takes a little while to take off, it's not a bad read. Once events start unfolding, it becomes quite a quick read with each chapter revealing another nugget of information. I gave Broken Grace 3.5⭐️ which I rounded up to 4⭐️ on Goodreads.
However, after this the book becomes a bit clichèd for a while. The memory loss reminds me a bit of Before I Go To Sleep (which I didn't love) so I was unsure whether I was going to enjoy reading.
Grace leaves hospital for recovery in her old home, in the care of her sister, and with no recollection of her life before her car accident, and then the police turn up. Grace's boyfriend has been found dead, in or around the same time as her accident, ergo she has no alibi,ergo she is essentially a suspect!
The story unfolds almost as a race against time, Grace's memories returning versus the murder investigation. These memories become terrifying visions of which she is unsure of. Are they real? Are they not?
Broken Grace has a decent plot, even though it takes a little while to take off, it's not a bad read. Once events start unfolding, it becomes quite a quick read with each chapter revealing another nugget of information. I gave Broken Grace 3.5⭐️ which I rounded up to 4⭐️ on Goodreads.
May 2, 2016
Oh dear! How many cliches, unbelievable coincidences and inappropriate policemen are necessary to make an obvious *mystery* last a while? This novel is the answer.
Are we really supposed to believe a detective would be this reckless and downright criminal in his work for a crush?
I could have pretended not to be so bothered by all that if not for the blatant disregard for rape victims in this novel. Drugging someone to force yourself into them is rape. That's how it's called, that's what it is. Do not try to find euphemisms, call it as it is. And do not try to shove it aside because it's not important to your extra thin plot, leaving it as if it were nothing of much relevance.
Are we really supposed to believe a detective would be this reckless and downright criminal in his work for a crush?
I could have pretended not to be so bothered by all that if not for the blatant disregard for rape victims in this novel. Drugging someone to force yourself into them is rape. That's how it's called, that's what it is. Do not try to find euphemisms, call it as it is. And do not try to shove it aside because it's not important to your extra thin plot, leaving it as if it were nothing of much relevance.
March 3, 2017
This books opens with Grace speeding away from a menace unknown to the reader, whose headlights Grace can see gaining on her in her rearview mirror. In the next chapter, Grace awakens in the hospital, having survived a horrible car accident, badly hurt and with no memory of anyone or anything. I was hooked.
She is reluctant to be discharged into the care of the sister she doesn't remember, but goes nonetheless, returning to their childhood home she doesn't remember either. Soon after, the police show up—not to see if she remembers anything about her accident, but to question her about the murder of her boyfriend...someone she doesn't remember, and she certainly doesn't remember if she has an alibi.
Everyone seems to know something about Grace's life prior to the accident—everyone except Grace, that is—and no one is filling her in. The police have their choice of suspects, yet with each clue they uncover, Grace moves closer to the top of their list. All the while, fragments of frightening memories slowly begin to return to Grace, but rather than shed light on her life, they cause her to grow increasingly frustrated, confused, and scared. The reader is pulled in many directions regarding who the culprit in the murder might be, who was speeding after Grace that night, and what the hell happened during her childhood, but things do subtly begin to point in one direction. But the ending will still come as a surprise, which is always my favorite kind of ending.
She is reluctant to be discharged into the care of the sister she doesn't remember, but goes nonetheless, returning to their childhood home she doesn't remember either. Soon after, the police show up—not to see if she remembers anything about her accident, but to question her about the murder of her boyfriend...someone she doesn't remember, and she certainly doesn't remember if she has an alibi.
Everyone seems to know something about Grace's life prior to the accident—everyone except Grace, that is—and no one is filling her in. The police have their choice of suspects, yet with each clue they uncover, Grace moves closer to the top of their list. All the while, fragments of frightening memories slowly begin to return to Grace, but rather than shed light on her life, they cause her to grow increasingly frustrated, confused, and scared. The reader is pulled in many directions regarding who the culprit in the murder might be, who was speeding after Grace that night, and what the hell happened during her childhood, but things do subtly begin to point in one direction. But the ending will still come as a surprise, which is always my favorite kind of ending.
September 24, 2015
Wow well this story just dragged on and on and on.
The first half was definitely interesting. A girl, Grace, gets amnesia from a car accident, and they find her boyfriend is dead. Then there's lot of mystery, a lot of people involved, and a lot of background to reveal. She stays with her sister, who's living in a creepy old house their dead parents "left" for them and apparently isn't very close to Grace. I found that really odd and immediately suspected the sister.
Then the dialogue starts happening. At first it's intriguing, but then there is just pages and pages of more dialogue. In fact, I would say about 95% of the book is just people talking. The police interview like a dozen people and the clues barely lead anywhere. Grace talks to a bunch of people about her background, and we just find more and more twisted and creepy stuff. It's like diving into a mystery that just kept getting longer and crazier, without the appeal of suspense because none of the characters nor the writing had much personality. Towards the end, I didn't even care anymore. Nothing in the last quarter of the book that I skimmed through really surprised me.
This whole book was like a murder mystery being told through a point blank YA writing style. It was bizarrely disappointing.
The first half was definitely interesting. A girl, Grace, gets amnesia from a car accident, and they find her boyfriend is dead. Then there's lot of mystery, a lot of people involved, and a lot of background to reveal. She stays with her sister, who's living in a creepy old house their dead parents "left" for them and apparently isn't very close to Grace. I found that really odd and immediately suspected the sister.
Then the dialogue starts happening. At first it's intriguing, but then there is just pages and pages of more dialogue. In fact, I would say about 95% of the book is just people talking. The police interview like a dozen people and the clues barely lead anywhere. Grace talks to a bunch of people about her background, and we just find more and more twisted and creepy stuff. It's like diving into a mystery that just kept getting longer and crazier, without the appeal of suspense because none of the characters nor the writing had much personality. Towards the end, I didn't even care anymore. Nothing in the last quarter of the book that I skimmed through really surprised me.
This whole book was like a murder mystery being told through a point blank YA writing style. It was bizarrely disappointing.
October 1, 2016
I just didn't get it! I didn't get the motivation of most of the characters. I didn't get the young adult writing style. And I didn't get the seemingly lack of research into topics such as police work, amnesia and pedophilia. I hung in until the end hoping for some redemption but found the ending muddled and unsatisfactory.
January 27, 2020
What an awesome read! It got me guessing all the time. People spoke about a twist in the end but after reading a bunch of such books i saw it coming, so i was not surprised. However, i enjoyed the whole journey. It's fearful not to remember anything from your past, not knowing who you are, who is good, who is bad, everything's a blur in one's head once he gets amnesia. That's exactly how it felt for our heroine Grace, till the end she struggles to figure out what has hapoened in her life. She is surrounded by danger, she doesn't know who to trust. Isn't that intimitating? 4 whole stars for a truly suspenseful read!
March 2, 2016
Grace wakes in hospital after a car accident and can not remember a thing of what happened.
Graces sister discharges her from the hospital and take her to there family home to look after her.
Graces boyfriend is found murdered the same day as the accident happened and the police want to question grace but she can not remember a thing.
As her memories return she learns that her family have lots of secrets and some memories are best forgotten.
Thanks the Netgalley the publisher and author for a chance to read this book.
Graces sister discharges her from the hospital and take her to there family home to look after her.
Graces boyfriend is found murdered the same day as the accident happened and the police want to question grace but she can not remember a thing.
As her memories return she learns that her family have lots of secrets and some memories are best forgotten.
Thanks the Netgalley the publisher and author for a chance to read this book.
January 18, 2016
What a waste of
...time. Zero character development, repetitive storyline. I felt no connection or empathy for the main character as a result. Won't read this author again.
...time. Zero character development, repetitive storyline. I felt no connection or empathy for the main character as a result. Won't read this author again.
September 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.75 stars) Broken Grace was an intriguing psychological thriller that pulled me in right from the start. The premise of waking up after an accident with no memory is such a strong hook, and the author does a great job building suspense as Grace tries to uncover what really happened. I especially enjoyed the psychological intrigue throughout—it kept me questioning who to trust and what was real. The pacing also worked well, moving the story along with enough tension to keep me turning the pages.
That said, while there were definitely some twists, I did find parts of it a bit predictable. As someone who reads a lot of thrillers, I could see some of the reveals coming, which dulled the impact a little. Still, I enjoyed the ride, and it was a solid, suspenseful read overall.
That said, while there were definitely some twists, I did find parts of it a bit predictable. As someone who reads a lot of thrillers, I could see some of the reveals coming, which dulled the impact a little. Still, I enjoyed the ride, and it was a solid, suspenseful read overall.
August 10, 2021
4 1/2 out of 5 stars
For some reason upon rereads the reviews seem to disappear so I guess I will rewrite my review as best as I can.
I found this through Kindle Unlimited. When I read that this was set in Southwest Michigan I had to pick it up because that is where I was living at the time and it was great reading a book set there. You never hear about SW Mi and South Bend Ind. I was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. This time around I listened to it on audio instead of rereading the Kindle version.
Grace awakens in the hospital with hardly any memories except for knowing her name. Her sister is there next to her but Grace has no memory. She is told that she was in an accident and that her memory will return eventually but it may take some time.
Shortly after she returns home the police show up at her door telling her that her boyfriend Michael was found murdered in the apartment that she happened to leave the day before the accident. Did she kill him? One of the cops believe she is innocent the other is determined to blame her for the murder.
As her memories start to return she doesn't know who to trust, including her own memories.
I wanted to give this book 5 stars but held one back because I felt the guilty party was very, very obvious.
For some reason upon rereads the reviews seem to disappear so I guess I will rewrite my review as best as I can.
I found this through Kindle Unlimited. When I read that this was set in Southwest Michigan I had to pick it up because that is where I was living at the time and it was great reading a book set there. You never hear about SW Mi and South Bend Ind. I was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. This time around I listened to it on audio instead of rereading the Kindle version.
Grace awakens in the hospital with hardly any memories except for knowing her name. Her sister is there next to her but Grace has no memory. She is told that she was in an accident and that her memory will return eventually but it may take some time.
Shortly after she returns home the police show up at her door telling her that her boyfriend Michael was found murdered in the apartment that she happened to leave the day before the accident. Did she kill him? One of the cops believe she is innocent the other is determined to blame her for the murder.
As her memories start to return she doesn't know who to trust, including her own memories.
I wanted to give this book 5 stars but held one back because I felt the guilty party was very, very obvious.
July 18, 2015
Maybe closer to 2.5 stars.
Grace awakes in the hospital with a traumatic brain injury and no memory. I've read 3 novels, I think, since January in which women with amnesia after a traumatic event must struggle to regain their memories. They are all in danger, of course, and don't know who to trust.
Not only has Grace suffered serious injuries in a car accident, but Grace's boyfriend has been murdered, and she is a suspect. When she is released from the hospital, her sister takes her home to the house where they lived growing up. Grace must build her memories from those who knew her, but some of what she learns makes her very uncomfortable. There are questions about her parents and her childhood that feel dark and threatening.
Twist at the end that you may or may not expect. A lot of dysfunction going around. I had trouble buying into both the characters and the storyline.
Nice cover, though.
NetGalley/Thomas & Mercer
Mystery/Suspense. Aug. 25, 2015. Print version: 320 pages.
Grace awakes in the hospital with a traumatic brain injury and no memory. I've read 3 novels, I think, since January in which women with amnesia after a traumatic event must struggle to regain their memories. They are all in danger, of course, and don't know who to trust.
Not only has Grace suffered serious injuries in a car accident, but Grace's boyfriend has been murdered, and she is a suspect. When she is released from the hospital, her sister takes her home to the house where they lived growing up. Grace must build her memories from those who knew her, but some of what she learns makes her very uncomfortable. There are questions about her parents and her childhood that feel dark and threatening.
Twist at the end that you may or may not expect. A lot of dysfunction going around. I had trouble buying into both the characters and the storyline.
Nice cover, though.
NetGalley/Thomas & Mercer
Mystery/Suspense. Aug. 25, 2015. Print version: 320 pages.
July 22, 2015
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Broken Grace reminded me of a couple of other books I have read this year:
woman (Grace) wakes up in hospital after a car accident suffering from a traumatic brain injury and total loss of memory.
Her only remaining family is her sister, so she is discharged into said sister's care staying in a remote house that somehow makes her feel uncomfortable.
Her boyfriend is found murdered. Enter a rookie cop and his seasoned partner.
What happened? What's real? Who's hiding what? Who can be trusted?
Some of the plot was predictable and a bit clichéd, and a third through the book I thought I had figured it all out, but I hadn't. Not all, anyway. It is definitely worth sticking with this because the final reveal made it worthwhile. Very fitting title. The writing was concise, and I enjoyed following the rookie cop's POV as well as Grace's. On the whole, an enjoyable psychological mystery / police procedural but nothing outstanding.
3.5 stars
Broken Grace reminded me of a couple of other books I have read this year:
woman (Grace) wakes up in hospital after a car accident suffering from a traumatic brain injury and total loss of memory.
Her only remaining family is her sister, so she is discharged into said sister's care staying in a remote house that somehow makes her feel uncomfortable.
Her boyfriend is found murdered. Enter a rookie cop and his seasoned partner.
What happened? What's real? Who's hiding what? Who can be trusted?
Some of the plot was predictable and a bit clichéd, and a third through the book I thought I had figured it all out, but I hadn't. Not all, anyway. It is definitely worth sticking with this because the final reveal made it worthwhile. Very fitting title. The writing was concise, and I enjoyed following the rookie cop's POV as well as Grace's. On the whole, an enjoyable psychological mystery / police procedural but nothing outstanding.
3.5 stars
August 4, 2016
I thought the premise and approch to 'Broken Grace' was very interesting. Grace suffers amnesia following a collision with a tree. She was driving too fast on a snowy Michigan road and first strikes a deer while she was being chased by someone. Grace doesn't remember much of her life before waking up in a hospital, including her older sister who has now become her quazi guardian / caregiver. Grace's boyfriend was found murdered in his bed and, of course, Grace is a suspect without memories preceeding her collision. A vetern police detective is called in to help the rookie officer assigned to the case and Grace has to investigate herself just to reclaim some memories of her life. The story switches between the investigation and Grace's efforts to reclaim her life and memory. The story takes several marvelous plot turns, rather good character development and a surprise ending (at least it was for me). I enjoyed it and will probably reread it again, soon!
July 15, 2016
I think there was a good story outline buried in here but it got lost along the way. The date-rapey subplots were weird and not really addressed. Also gross, The guy deciding he was in love w/the main character because she was his waitress and grabbing her for a kiss without knowing her name? WTF author, you need some major counseling if you think that's normal or romantic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2016
Crazy twists and turns
The author balances crazy, mystery and dysfunction out with what you think is a love story. The ending was a total surprise and a cliffhanger. I'd give it five stars if all the loose ends got tied at the end. Worth the read!
The author balances crazy, mystery and dysfunction out with what you think is a love story. The ending was a total surprise and a cliffhanger. I'd give it five stars if all the loose ends got tied at the end. Worth the read!
October 29, 2019
Broken Grace
3 Stars
This book was alright. Pretty predictable, but there was a slight twist I wasn’t expecting. Didn’t feel all that connected to any of the characters, and, in turn, didn’t feel any type of way when certain events transpired. There were some interesting elements and while I was pretty confident in the guiltiness of whom I suspected early on, there were some aspects of the investigation which made me think of other possibilities. I also really like the possible unreliable narrator which definitely added to the mystery of it all.
3 Stars
This book was alright. Pretty predictable, but there was a slight twist I wasn’t expecting. Didn’t feel all that connected to any of the characters, and, in turn, didn’t feel any type of way when certain events transpired. There were some interesting elements and while I was pretty confident in the guiltiness of whom I suspected early on, there were some aspects of the investigation which made me think of other possibilities. I also really like the possible unreliable narrator which definitely added to the mystery of it all.
February 9, 2016
Broken Grace is a novel by E.C. Diskin. I couldn't put it down. I would give it ten stars if I could. The book is an excellent suspense and mystery. The characters are very realistic and the plot is well written. The book has many twists and surprises and the biggest one is at the end. You definitely are not expecting that one.
Grace Abbott just got out of the hospital. She had been in there a week since she had an accident with a deer and a tree. Luckily, she did not have severe injuries; but she has lost her memory. The only things she knows are what the doctor and her sister, Lisa, have told her. She is going home with her sister since she had broken up with her boyfriend, Michael Cahill. They do not know how long she will have her memory loss. Almost as soon as she is home, the police show up. Detective Bishop and Officer Hackett are her to question her about the murder of her boyfriend, Michael Cahill. Grace knows nothing about Michael’s murder and since she can’t even remember Michael, she doesn’t have the usual reaction of a grieving girlfriend. This strikes Detective Bishop as strange; but then he doesn’t believe she really lost her memory. Office Hackett, on the other hand, does believe her because she doesn’t recognize him at all. They had a brief encounter at a bar just a week before.
Grace is the main suspect in Michael’s murder and she can’t remember him. She begins to have nightmares and strange dreams about when she was a child. Who was the little girl she sees in her dreams? Had she broken up with Michael as Lisa said or did she get engaged to him as others say? What is Hackett keeping secret? What does she remember about her past? Will she ever remember everything?
Grace Abbott just got out of the hospital. She had been in there a week since she had an accident with a deer and a tree. Luckily, she did not have severe injuries; but she has lost her memory. The only things she knows are what the doctor and her sister, Lisa, have told her. She is going home with her sister since she had broken up with her boyfriend, Michael Cahill. They do not know how long she will have her memory loss. Almost as soon as she is home, the police show up. Detective Bishop and Officer Hackett are her to question her about the murder of her boyfriend, Michael Cahill. Grace knows nothing about Michael’s murder and since she can’t even remember Michael, she doesn’t have the usual reaction of a grieving girlfriend. This strikes Detective Bishop as strange; but then he doesn’t believe she really lost her memory. Office Hackett, on the other hand, does believe her because she doesn’t recognize him at all. They had a brief encounter at a bar just a week before.
Grace is the main suspect in Michael’s murder and she can’t remember him. She begins to have nightmares and strange dreams about when she was a child. Who was the little girl she sees in her dreams? Had she broken up with Michael as Lisa said or did she get engaged to him as others say? What is Hackett keeping secret? What does she remember about her past? Will she ever remember everything?
March 22, 2017
Grace is in a car accident and loses her memory - can't remember anything about the boyfriend Michael she comes to find out is dead.
This gets its stars from a really great ending - a little slow in the beginning.
This gets its stars from a really great ending - a little slow in the beginning.
April 10, 2017
We first meet Grace right before she nearly dies in a car accident. She's speeding away from something, terrified, sees the headlights gaining on her right before a deer jumps out in front of her, causing her to lose control and total her car. 8 days later, she's being released from the hospital to a sister she can't remember, and possibly being investigated for the murder of her fiancée, a man she also can't remember. As Grace tries to piece together her life, she learns that things aren't exactly what they seem...but are they ever?
As strange as this may sound, I'm not sure if the story was predictable! I think I may have figured some stuff out, but by the time the author got to that part, it was almost like she said, "Oh shit! I've gotta wrap this up in 10 pages or less!" And then she did. It was a whirlwind ending that left this reader convinced a big chunk was missing from my copy. All pages accounted for...but I stand by my belief that a big chunk was missing. It was just missing from everybody's.
As strange as this may sound, I'm not sure if the story was predictable! I think I may have figured some stuff out, but by the time the author got to that part, it was almost like she said, "Oh shit! I've gotta wrap this up in 10 pages or less!" And then she did. It was a whirlwind ending that left this reader convinced a big chunk was missing from my copy. All pages accounted for...but I stand by my belief that a big chunk was missing. It was just missing from everybody's.
January 4, 2017
A short review because I'm way behind with them.
I really enjoyed this book. I've read quite a few books lately where the main character has amnesia and they must rely on family and friends to fill in their background for them while creepy stuff starts to happen. In fact I need a break from amnesia stories right now. BUT, I thought this one worked particularly well.
I liked that Grace wasn't totally snivelling or TSTL and the mystery worked well. The story was plausible (as much as these books ever are) and there was enough suspense to keep you turning the pages. The only "off" note was the policeman who was falling for Grace and it was colouring his judgement.
It was certainly entertaining.
I really enjoyed this book. I've read quite a few books lately where the main character has amnesia and they must rely on family and friends to fill in their background for them while creepy stuff starts to happen. In fact I need a break from amnesia stories right now. BUT, I thought this one worked particularly well.
I liked that Grace wasn't totally snivelling or TSTL and the mystery worked well. The story was plausible (as much as these books ever are) and there was enough suspense to keep you turning the pages. The only "off" note was the policeman who was falling for Grace and it was colouring his judgement.
It was certainly entertaining.
August 10, 2015
Whilst Grace is fleeing from someone she is involved in a car accident and doesn't remember very much. She has flashbacks and bad feelings about certain things as she is trying to solve the puzzle which is her life. Who can she rely on, who can she trust? It was easy to read with a few exciting parts but it was just a fairly average book which although kept me entertained wasn't one of those books you just can't bear to put down. Something to relax with on holiday would be my thought. Provided by publisher and Netgalley.
August 9, 2016
This was a pretty good mystery...I still can't decide how I feel about the very final ending; I kind of wish the book would have ended 5 pages earlier.
I really couldn't figure out what the answer was for pretty much the whole book, so that's a good sign. I think the answer is acceptable, even though it's not the one I would have picked.
I was worried that I was going to be bored by Grace missing memories for most of the book, but it was done well. It wasn't great, but I would recommend this book for an easy-read mystery.
I really couldn't figure out what the answer was for pretty much the whole book, so that's a good sign. I think the answer is acceptable, even though it's not the one I would have picked.
I was worried that I was going to be bored by Grace missing memories for most of the book, but it was done well. It wasn't great, but I would recommend this book for an easy-read mystery.
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