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Backwoods Ripper
A country drive quickly turns into a nightmare for newly-weds Paige and Hal Loche
When you are in the bush, pregnant, and your husband is hurt what do you do? Will you trust just about anyone?
When their car gets a flat tire in the Australian outback, it should be a simple job for capable Hal to fix. His wife pregnant, he sets to it. But an accident befalls him, leaving him immobilized. Paige is now their only hope of getting out of the bush.
“How the cruelty of a stranger changes a couple’s life for ever.”
When Paige chances upon a stranger, it seems her prayers are answered. But the stranger doesn’t want to help. She wants something else, and it’s not Paige’s husband. Hal is expendable, piece by piece it seems, but her baby isn’t.
What will Paige do to protect her unborn child, and at what price?
When you are in the bush, pregnant, and your husband is hurt what do you do? Will you trust just about anyone?
When their car gets a flat tire in the Australian outback, it should be a simple job for capable Hal to fix. His wife pregnant, he sets to it. But an accident befalls him, leaving him immobilized. Paige is now their only hope of getting out of the bush.
“How the cruelty of a stranger changes a couple’s life for ever.”
When Paige chances upon a stranger, it seems her prayers are answered. But the stranger doesn’t want to help. She wants something else, and it’s not Paige’s husband. Hal is expendable, piece by piece it seems, but her baby isn’t.
What will Paige do to protect her unborn child, and at what price?
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2016
571 people are currently reading
713 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
April 13, 2025
This was a tremendous story! Anna Willett is a proven talent, and this was, by far, my favorite book of hers to date. Paige and Hal are just a married couple, with a baby on the way, looking for one more trip with just the two of them. Unfortunately, they find themselves in a horrible situation with an antagonist, Lizzy, that rivals Annie Wilkes from Misery. She is just a very sick and deranged person that is a calculated, educated, and experienced sociopath. We call that the trifecta in traits that you wouldn't want an adversary to possess. Now the story is jam-packed with suspense. There isn't a lot action, but rather a ton of tense moments that will literally keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. And Paige is the real hero here, despite her being in the throws of her pregnancy. She acts as Hal's emotional crutch (No pun untended) and makes their attempts to escape possible. And I am always a fan of seeing these unsuspecting female characters getting the spotlight like this. So not only are you consumed with the married couple here, but also the baby, as well. Every action, every physical trauma, all if it leaves you thinking, "Oh God, I hope the baby is ok." So with your heart in your throat, you keep reading and the ending is something else that will tug at your heartstrings. But it continues with the trend of the story, making what ends up happening very realistic and grounded in reality. So the ending may not be what everyone wants to see, but it was fitting. Amazing story by an even more amazing author.
September 13, 2023
Hal und Paige have car trouble in the Australian country side. Will Lizzy and Soona, two mysterious strangers who live nearby in a former hospital help the newlyweds? What about Lizzy's plans? Paige is in the last two months of her pregnancy and their trip soon turns into complete horror. The book was referred to Stephen King's Misery and I can tell you there are some parallels. Would have loved to read more about Lizzy, her past and the old hospital. What turned Lizzy toward the character she was? Towards the end the story dragged a bit and became a bit implausible. Otherwise a nail biting read with many good scenes. Highly recommended!
April 3, 2023
This was an awesome story! Very suspenseful and very intriguing!
A small backstory:
A couple are traveling through the back roads of Australia and end up breaking down. Someone comes along and seems to want to help the couple, but it turns out to be anything but help. What starts out as "help" turns into a "twisted nightmare" that makes the couple wonder if they will be able to survive this supposedly "Good Samaritan".
Thoughts:
Get in your cozy chair, then strap yourself in for the ride to the backwoods of Australia.
This was a debut book by Anna Willett and it is definitely a "ripper" of a story. This book reminded me of the book "Misery" by Stephen King but with more of a twist. Giving this book five "Twisted Tension" stars!
For images of this review, please see my blog:
https://booknookretreat.blogspot.com/...
A small backstory:
A couple are traveling through the back roads of Australia and end up breaking down. Someone comes along and seems to want to help the couple, but it turns out to be anything but help. What starts out as "help" turns into a "twisted nightmare" that makes the couple wonder if they will be able to survive this supposedly "Good Samaritan".
Thoughts:
Get in your cozy chair, then strap yourself in for the ride to the backwoods of Australia.
This was a debut book by Anna Willett and it is definitely a "ripper" of a story. This book reminded me of the book "Misery" by Stephen King but with more of a twist. Giving this book five "Twisted Tension" stars!
For images of this review, please see my blog:
https://booknookretreat.blogspot.com/...
November 16, 2020
The newlyweds Paige and Hal Loche decide to take advantage of their last moment of tranquility together before the birth of their baby, so they go into the countryside. On their journey, they stop to have something eat and drink. This is where Hal notices the flat tyre of the car and proceeds to change it, but something so simple turns into Hal injuring himself and Paige must try to get them to safety.
Being heavily pregnant, Paige knows she can't change the tyre, but she needs help as her husband is in a bad way. When Paige finally crosses paths with a stranger she couldn’t be happier someone to help them, but the stranger will not help them. As Paige fears for her life, her husbands life she also has the worry of their unborn child. As all of their lives hang in the balance will Paige be able to do anything to save them?
This book had me hooked right from the start. The suspense, horror and thriller in this book made me turn the pages at a frantic pace as I was desperate to know what was going to happen next. Many people have said that this book is a lot like Misery by Stephen King and although I haven’t read the book, but I’ve watched the movie I can see why they would say that because in parts it's quite similar. Even so Backwoods Ripper by Aussie author Anna Willett was a book I really enjoyed and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Highly recommended for anyone who loves to read horror, suspense and thrillers.
Being heavily pregnant, Paige knows she can't change the tyre, but she needs help as her husband is in a bad way. When Paige finally crosses paths with a stranger she couldn’t be happier someone to help them, but the stranger will not help them. As Paige fears for her life, her husbands life she also has the worry of their unborn child. As all of their lives hang in the balance will Paige be able to do anything to save them?
This book had me hooked right from the start. The suspense, horror and thriller in this book made me turn the pages at a frantic pace as I was desperate to know what was going to happen next. Many people have said that this book is a lot like Misery by Stephen King and although I haven’t read the book, but I’ve watched the movie I can see why they would say that because in parts it's quite similar. Even so Backwoods Ripper by Aussie author Anna Willett was a book I really enjoyed and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Highly recommended for anyone who loves to read horror, suspense and thrillers.
June 3, 2017
At 187 pages, Backwoods Ripper was a quick and highly enjoyable read.
This is one of those brooding stories where you know that what is between the pages is going to be dark and it certainly was. If what leaves Hal immobilised isn't horrific enough, what comes later surely is.
Paige and Hal are a young couple who have everything to look forward to. That is until Paige has to enlist a strangers help. You can tell as soon as you meet Lizzy and her daughter Soona that there is something not quite right. The fact that they don't take them to the nearest hospital but instead take them back to a rambling estate that used to be a hospital for injured service men makes you know that there is going to be trouble.
The house I thought really added to the story. In a way some parts felt like they were bordering on the horror side but it definitely is more of a psychological/thriller/suspense read.
Backwoods Ripper is a dark, edge of your seat read that had me gripped through out. It will have the reader routing for Hal and Paige and hoping against all odds that there will be some sort of happy ending for the couple. If you want to know if there is or not then you will have to read it for yourself!
This is one of those brooding stories where you know that what is between the pages is going to be dark and it certainly was. If what leaves Hal immobilised isn't horrific enough, what comes later surely is.
Paige and Hal are a young couple who have everything to look forward to. That is until Paige has to enlist a strangers help. You can tell as soon as you meet Lizzy and her daughter Soona that there is something not quite right. The fact that they don't take them to the nearest hospital but instead take them back to a rambling estate that used to be a hospital for injured service men makes you know that there is going to be trouble.
The house I thought really added to the story. In a way some parts felt like they were bordering on the horror side but it definitely is more of a psychological/thriller/suspense read.
Backwoods Ripper is a dark, edge of your seat read that had me gripped through out. It will have the reader routing for Hal and Paige and hoping against all odds that there will be some sort of happy ending for the couple. If you want to know if there is or not then you will have to read it for yourself!
November 29, 2021
This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I think that the reason I didn't particularly enjoy it was the 'horror' theme.
Having said that I was unable to let it go and had to read it through to the end just to see what happened.
Hal and his 7 month pregnant wife Paige are on a camping holiday. When they pull over for a rest stop and for Paige to stretch out a bit, they find that they have a flat tyre. From there things take a nasty turn and Paige finds herself in an increasingly possible position with Hal incapacitated.
I might suss out another book by the author at some stage, but not if it is classified as 'horror'.
Thankfully unlike other horror books that I have not finished this did maintain a somewhat realistic story line.
Having said that I was unable to let it go and had to read it through to the end just to see what happened.
Hal and his 7 month pregnant wife Paige are on a camping holiday. When they pull over for a rest stop and for Paige to stretch out a bit, they find that they have a flat tyre. From there things take a nasty turn and Paige finds herself in an increasingly possible position with Hal incapacitated.
I might suss out another book by the author at some stage, but not if it is classified as 'horror'.
Thankfully unlike other horror books that I have not finished this did maintain a somewhat realistic story line.
July 17, 2019
This is my fourth read by the author and by far the best. By far. I mean, her books are always fun, quick entertaining suspense thrillers with a distinct Aussie flavor, but this one…this one was something different, something more. This book has such a genuine eerie creepiness factor that it managed to disturb in broad daylight. Just imagine how much fun it would be in the dark. The title, admittedly, is somewhat cheesy and generic, albeit very accurate. The contents are purely horrific with evil being of a very natural (as opposed to the supernatural) kind. But really, it’s the claustrophobia that gets you. The very specific Australian outback type of claustrophobia, with no one for miles, no mobile reception and lunatics in haunted looking old mansions offering assistance you should, but can’t refuse. That’s pretty much the story of a young couple, inexplicably deciding that traveling through the thoroughly inhospitable bush might be a good idea for the babymoon (yeah, apparently that’s a thing). Car blows a flat, nature strikes, phone won’t work and just like that a very pregnant woman finds herself completely at mercy of a passerby. What occurs next redefines the premise of kindness of strangers and plays out like a taut, scary and profoundly disturbing get out of dodge or die sort of story. Brutally violent, viscerally devastating it’s a killer ride. It’s so nice to witness a promising author stepping up her game like this. This book is more sophisticated, more well written, more emotionally complex…it’s just more in the best possible way. Lean and mean, although longer than some other author’s books, it reads quickly and is very tough to put down, so just set an evening or two aside and let yourself get stranded in the middle of nowhere, Australia. It’s a journey one should really only dare to undertake in a literary form. Genre fans, this scary thriller is definitely worth checking out. The author’s books often come up as freebies too, which is lovely, this one was. Read it if you dare. Recommended.
September 20, 2016
If you like horror books you won't be disappointed by this book. Expecting parents take a country drive before the preparations of their new baby when they stop to eat and find out that their tire has been slashed!
It takes you on a trip down all the good horror movies you have ever watched. It's almost like a movie because you can see everything that is happening. I would say this is a blend of a V.C. Andrews novel and a Stephen King.
You won't be disappointed by this book if you are looking for a good thriller during the Halloween season.
Blurb:
“If you like Stephen King’s Misery, you’ll love this book.”
A country drive quickly turns into a nightmare for newly-weds Paige and Hal Loche
When you are in the bush, pregnant, and your husband is hurt what do you do? Will you trust just about anyone?
When their car gets a flat tire in the Australian outback, it should be a simple job for capable Hal to fix. His wife pregnant, he sets to it. But an accident befalls him, leaving him immobilized. Paige is now their only hope of getting out of the bush.
“How the cruelty of a stranger changes a couple’s life for ever.”
When Paige chances upon a stranger, it seems her prayers are answered. But the stranger doesn’t want to help. She wants something else, and it’s not Paige’s husband. Hal is expendable, piece by piece it seems, but her baby isn’t.
What will Paige do to protect her unborn child, and at what price?
It takes you on a trip down all the good horror movies you have ever watched. It's almost like a movie because you can see everything that is happening. I would say this is a blend of a V.C. Andrews novel and a Stephen King.
You won't be disappointed by this book if you are looking for a good thriller during the Halloween season.
Blurb:
“If you like Stephen King’s Misery, you’ll love this book.”
A country drive quickly turns into a nightmare for newly-weds Paige and Hal Loche
When you are in the bush, pregnant, and your husband is hurt what do you do? Will you trust just about anyone?
When their car gets a flat tire in the Australian outback, it should be a simple job for capable Hal to fix. His wife pregnant, he sets to it. But an accident befalls him, leaving him immobilized. Paige is now their only hope of getting out of the bush.
“How the cruelty of a stranger changes a couple’s life for ever.”
When Paige chances upon a stranger, it seems her prayers are answered. But the stranger doesn’t want to help. She wants something else, and it’s not Paige’s husband. Hal is expendable, piece by piece it seems, but her baby isn’t.
What will Paige do to protect her unborn child, and at what price?
September 18, 2019
Setting: Western Australia. Hal and his pregnant wife Paige are on holiday in a remote area of Western Australia when, taking a country road as a short-cut, they get a flat tyre and, in trying to change it, Hal is seriously injured. When Paige goes for help, she meets two women in a truck who come to their assistance - taking the injured Hal and pregnant Paige back to their house is the beginning of a nightmare for the couple at the hands of these women...
I wasn't as gripped by this one as the previous one I had read by this author - it was all a bit predictable and the characters didn't really do it for me - although still a reasonably good story - 6.5/10.
I wasn't as gripped by this one as the previous one I had read by this author - it was all a bit predictable and the characters didn't really do it for me - although still a reasonably good story - 6.5/10.
August 14, 2016
BACKWOODS RIPPER
By Anna Willett
The book is billed as a gripping action suspense thriller, and I guess the fact that I was gripping the arms of my chair (actually holding on for dear life) as I read the last quarter of it proves that the billing is correct.
The danger in writing a book with a major character and situation that so closely resembles a very famous novel is that the author is pretty much demanding a comparison. At least, in this case, the comparison is very favorable in spite of the fact that Backwoods Ripper’s villain and its setting bear an unmistakable resemblance to those in Stephen King’s masterpiece, MISERY.
Lizzy Hatcher is so close to Annie Wilkes that she thinks like Annie and talks a lot like her. But in spite of the comparison Lizzy’s words and actions are totally in keeping with her character. Her motivation is different, though. Annie Wilkes wanted to force a famous writer to create a book to her liking. Lizzy wants a baby… a baby being carried by the wife of the man who allowed Lizzy to rescue him and his wife when his car broke down in the bush and he suffered a deadly snakebite.
.
Annie Wilkes uses cruelty and misguided medical knowledge to blackmail Paul Sheldon into bringing his dead heroine (Misery Chastain) back to life. Lizzy plans to kill Hal and his pregnant wife Paige as soon as she delivers and gets control of their unborn baby. But Lizzy’s nursing skills don’t measure up to Annie’s and she comes close to killing Hal long before the baby is due.
Lizzy’s decrepit home, Mable House, where she brings Hal and Paige, was once a hospital and still has some of the treatment facilities available to be used or misused by Lizzy. But Mable House has a heart and will of its own and seems to imbue its residents with murderous thoughts and dark ideas that eventually find their way into the minds of both Hal and Paige. (Okay, shades of The Shining.)
Backwoods Ripper has several original elements going for it. For one, the heroes are a couple whom Lizzy has captured, and who together give us some nice (though sometimes painful) synergy in finding a way out of their deadly situation. Second, there is Soona, a big mental-challenged woman who becomes kind of a wild card in the escape drama that Hal and Paige are forced to play out.
The ending to Backwoods Ripper is generally better than most of Mr. King’s (to continue the comparison) but the very, very last chapter, for me at least, seemed trite.
Four stars, though, for gripping drama, great characters, and haunting settings. The book is a little slow near the half-way point, but in the end, it’s a thrilling and satisfying read.
By Anna Willett
The book is billed as a gripping action suspense thriller, and I guess the fact that I was gripping the arms of my chair (actually holding on for dear life) as I read the last quarter of it proves that the billing is correct.
The danger in writing a book with a major character and situation that so closely resembles a very famous novel is that the author is pretty much demanding a comparison. At least, in this case, the comparison is very favorable in spite of the fact that Backwoods Ripper’s villain and its setting bear an unmistakable resemblance to those in Stephen King’s masterpiece, MISERY.
Lizzy Hatcher is so close to Annie Wilkes that she thinks like Annie and talks a lot like her. But in spite of the comparison Lizzy’s words and actions are totally in keeping with her character. Her motivation is different, though. Annie Wilkes wanted to force a famous writer to create a book to her liking. Lizzy wants a baby… a baby being carried by the wife of the man who allowed Lizzy to rescue him and his wife when his car broke down in the bush and he suffered a deadly snakebite.
.
Annie Wilkes uses cruelty and misguided medical knowledge to blackmail Paul Sheldon into bringing his dead heroine (Misery Chastain) back to life. Lizzy plans to kill Hal and his pregnant wife Paige as soon as she delivers and gets control of their unborn baby. But Lizzy’s nursing skills don’t measure up to Annie’s and she comes close to killing Hal long before the baby is due.
Lizzy’s decrepit home, Mable House, where she brings Hal and Paige, was once a hospital and still has some of the treatment facilities available to be used or misused by Lizzy. But Mable House has a heart and will of its own and seems to imbue its residents with murderous thoughts and dark ideas that eventually find their way into the minds of both Hal and Paige. (Okay, shades of The Shining.)
Backwoods Ripper has several original elements going for it. For one, the heroes are a couple whom Lizzy has captured, and who together give us some nice (though sometimes painful) synergy in finding a way out of their deadly situation. Second, there is Soona, a big mental-challenged woman who becomes kind of a wild card in the escape drama that Hal and Paige are forced to play out.
The ending to Backwoods Ripper is generally better than most of Mr. King’s (to continue the comparison) but the very, very last chapter, for me at least, seemed trite.
Four stars, though, for gripping drama, great characters, and haunting settings. The book is a little slow near the half-way point, but in the end, it’s a thrilling and satisfying read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2020
It took me a while to get into the book, that's until Lizzy and Soona came into the story. If I had trust issues before, this story amplified it to 100. The plot is good, gets to the point, and kept me on my toes. I read a lot of reviews that said the story reminded them of Misery, I agree, and felt that it also had a Texas Chainsaw Massacre vibe. This is a story you won't regret reading. My only issue was the occasional grammar errors.
July 31, 2019
Killer Thriller
Just WOW! When reading the "blurb" the book Misery is mentioned. While I understand the reference I have to say I think author Anna Willett's bad girl is so much more frightening. This is a well written story, full of suspense. The story is beyond gripping. With larger than life characters and in depth descriptions you will certainly be horrified. Although very graphic, I personally felt the violence fit the story. A great terrifying, horrifying read.
Just WOW! When reading the "blurb" the book Misery is mentioned. While I understand the reference I have to say I think author Anna Willett's bad girl is so much more frightening. This is a well written story, full of suspense. The story is beyond gripping. With larger than life characters and in depth descriptions you will certainly be horrified. Although very graphic, I personally felt the violence fit the story. A great terrifying, horrifying read.
July 12, 2016
An absolutely absorbing read! This book reminds me of Misery meets The Hills Have Eyes! The writing is extraordinarily great with vivid descriptions and palpable emotions. As you get to know the characters, you can't help but feel for them and their struggle for survival. It was very interesting to see Paige's transformation as she battles for herself, her husband Hal and their unborn child. There were quite a few moments that had me cringing in delicious horror as chills raced up my back! The story is very well woven and flows beautifully, with plenty of plot twists thrown in. Every time it slowed down, a new thrill was thrown in, keeping me on my toes....and grateful I still have them all! This is a story that has stuck with me for days after finishing the book, and I find myself mentally shivering as I think of certain parts of it. This book isn't that gory, it's just the emotions you feel with the characters hit home so hard it feels like it's happening to you. This was a wonderfully written book that gave me a roller coaster of chills and thrills that I would recommend to anybody that likes a thriller, horror or just something deliciously suspenseful to read!
July 22, 2016
I absolutely LOVED this book. It kept me on toes the whole time. The characters were intense and brilliantly written, the plot was thrilling and the writing was solid. Both, the antagonist and the protagonist were interesting. While Lizzy terrified me to no extent, Paige's struggle made me root for her. Soona reminded me of Lennie from Of Mice and Men. The writing made you care for the characters. There was not a single dull moment.
Apart from few repetitive description of emotions, Backwoods Ripper was a flawless book. It's surprising it's Willett's debut novel. It's even more surprising that it's not even semi-popular. The book deserves more readers, specially people who love thrillers. I am going to recommend this book to everyone.
Apart from few repetitive description of emotions, Backwoods Ripper was a flawless book. It's surprising it's Willett's debut novel. It's even more surprising that it's not even semi-popular. The book deserves more readers, specially people who love thrillers. I am going to recommend this book to everyone.
December 8, 2016
Sounded familiar
I couldn't help but notice the similarities between this and Stephen King's book "Misery." This book didn't have the jolt of Kong's book though. I'm still not getting this title, I thought I was going to run into someone like Jack the Ripper. Too much lovey-dovey stuff for me. I really don't like to see romance in my horror books. One more thing that annoyed me; everyone was picking their lips or touching them. I know that's a petty complaint but it bugged me. All in all the book was pretty lame.
I couldn't help but notice the similarities between this and Stephen King's book "Misery." This book didn't have the jolt of Kong's book though. I'm still not getting this title, I thought I was going to run into someone like Jack the Ripper. Too much lovey-dovey stuff for me. I really don't like to see romance in my horror books. One more thing that annoyed me; everyone was picking their lips or touching them. I know that's a petty complaint but it bugged me. All in all the book was pretty lame.
January 12, 2017
I had a good time reading this and it did keep me on my toes so it totally did what a thriller should do.
The main issue I had was that I've read this story before with minor changes here and there. The synopsis says that if you like Misery by Stephen King you'd like this but it's almost exactly like that book. It was really distracting while I read it.
All in all I had a good time reading but it had some distracting issue.
The main issue I had was that I've read this story before with minor changes here and there. The synopsis says that if you like Misery by Stephen King you'd like this but it's almost exactly like that book. It was really distracting while I read it.
All in all I had a good time reading but it had some distracting issue.
January 27, 2017
Read this book in only two nights!
While browsing my Kindle library for something to help me drift off to sleep, I found BACKWOODS RIPPER. Well, guess what-- I didn't, and you probably won't, either. Lots of death-defying, corkscrew twists and turns that began soon after I started this book and even up to the end until i found myself actually gasping for breath! Wow!What a ride!
While browsing my Kindle library for something to help me drift off to sleep, I found BACKWOODS RIPPER. Well, guess what-- I didn't, and you probably won't, either. Lots of death-defying, corkscrew twists and turns that began soon after I started this book and even up to the end until i found myself actually gasping for breath! Wow!What a ride!
July 5, 2016
FABULOUS.
What a great book. I absolutely loved the characters and the story. The pace increased with each and every page. There were quite a few heart stopping moments until the mind blowing conclusion. Great book. Read it.
What a great book. I absolutely loved the characters and the story. The pace increased with each and every page. There were quite a few heart stopping moments until the mind blowing conclusion. Great book. Read it.
November 2, 2016
Couldn't stop reading it. Had me from beginning to end. Well written. Looking forward to reading this authors next book "Retribution Ridge"
November 2, 2024
You know that book by Stephen King called “Misery” … the one made into a movie with Kathy Bates & James Caan … where she’s obsessed with him, his writing and breaks his ankles so he can’t leave? (It’s a good one … creepy … full-on psycho mode)!!
But take that movie and then blend it with the Lifetime movie plot of a woman wanting a baby, decides to steal one from a pregnant woman’s body and then plans to discard all those who aren’t the baby in the end.
Wrap all that into one, make the setting in a secluded backwoods podunk place and add a good dash of the battle of the wills to escape & live.
Wallah … you got this book.
It wasn’t a bad book. The writing was fine too.
But it was predictable.
Already done imo.
Might appeal to a younger generation that doesn’t know the book/movie Misery.
But take that movie and then blend it with the Lifetime movie plot of a woman wanting a baby, decides to steal one from a pregnant woman’s body and then plans to discard all those who aren’t the baby in the end.
Wrap all that into one, make the setting in a secluded backwoods podunk place and add a good dash of the battle of the wills to escape & live.
Wallah … you got this book.
It wasn’t a bad book. The writing was fine too.
But it was predictable.
Already done imo.
Might appeal to a younger generation that doesn’t know the book/movie Misery.
July 11, 2023
A suspenseful read
I enjoyed every word I read. This story was suspense filled and for a long time, I was totally fooled into suspecting the wrong person. The ending, just the last few paragraphs made me cry
I enjoyed every word I read. This story was suspense filled and for a long time, I was totally fooled into suspecting the wrong person. The ending, just the last few paragraphs made me cry
August 29, 2021
Very engaging!
Especially liked the ending! Grabbed my attention from beginning to end. Would make an interesting movie! Recommend to those you like psych thrillers.
Especially liked the ending! Grabbed my attention from beginning to end. Would make an interesting movie! Recommend to those you like psych thrillers.
January 20, 2020
Ok
This story was ok. There were parts that were good, but the more I read the more I thought it would make good story for the tv show The Twilight Zone.
This story was ok. There were parts that were good, but the more I read the more I thought it would make good story for the tv show The Twilight Zone.
September 9, 2020
Newlyweds Paige and Hal Loche are on a road trip when they make a pit stop to grab a bite to eat and stretch their legs. Paige is in her third trimester.
Just as they’re about to drive off, Hal notices that they have a flat tire. He quickly sets off to change the tire before it rains. But while he’s changing the tire he gets bitten on his calf by a snake. Frantic, Paige tries to call for help but they are stranded in the middle of nowhere and she can’t get a signal.
Meanwhile, Hal is almost going into shock and Paige realizes she has to venture out on her own before the venom spreads and kills Hal. Just then she sees a vehicle approaching on the highway and flags it down.
The occupants of the vehicle, Lizzy Hatcher and Soona give her a lift to where her husband was. Luckily, Lizzy is a trained nurse and has treated snake bites. With the help of Soona, she administers first aid to Hal.
Then they straighten and splint his leg right before lifting him onto the back of Lizzy’s utility vehicle. Lizzy offers to drive them to her house which is twenty minutes away as opposed to a roadhouse, a two-hour drive. Paige agrees.
They arrive at Lizzy’s house—a sprawling mansion with an eerie character. Paige tries again to phone for help using Lizzy’s telephone but it’s out of service. When Paige asks Lizzy to drive her to the town where she can get help, suddenly, Lizzy’s car won’t start.
Then Lizzy does something odd to Soona—who’s autistic—that makes Paige start questioning Lizzy’s hospitality and motives. When Lizzy starts acting very weird, Paige realizes she really has to get help.
When Lizzy learns that Paige has snuck out of the house, she decides to punish Paige by doing the unthinkable to Hal by administering more than first aid to him. And poor Hal doesn’t stand a chance even when he tries to fight her off.
Paige tries to find her way back to where their car broke down. When she gets there, the car and everything in it is gone.
Very disturbing read. I read this in an hour; it was that good. I enjoyed the suspense. You never knew what Lizzy was going to do next. Highly recommend this book!
Just as they’re about to drive off, Hal notices that they have a flat tire. He quickly sets off to change the tire before it rains. But while he’s changing the tire he gets bitten on his calf by a snake. Frantic, Paige tries to call for help but they are stranded in the middle of nowhere and she can’t get a signal.
Meanwhile, Hal is almost going into shock and Paige realizes she has to venture out on her own before the venom spreads and kills Hal. Just then she sees a vehicle approaching on the highway and flags it down.
The occupants of the vehicle, Lizzy Hatcher and Soona give her a lift to where her husband was. Luckily, Lizzy is a trained nurse and has treated snake bites. With the help of Soona, she administers first aid to Hal.
Then they straighten and splint his leg right before lifting him onto the back of Lizzy’s utility vehicle. Lizzy offers to drive them to her house which is twenty minutes away as opposed to a roadhouse, a two-hour drive. Paige agrees.
They arrive at Lizzy’s house—a sprawling mansion with an eerie character. Paige tries again to phone for help using Lizzy’s telephone but it’s out of service. When Paige asks Lizzy to drive her to the town where she can get help, suddenly, Lizzy’s car won’t start.
Then Lizzy does something odd to Soona—who’s autistic—that makes Paige start questioning Lizzy’s hospitality and motives. When Lizzy starts acting very weird, Paige realizes she really has to get help.
When Lizzy learns that Paige has snuck out of the house, she decides to punish Paige by doing the unthinkable to Hal by administering more than first aid to him. And poor Hal doesn’t stand a chance even when he tries to fight her off.
Paige tries to find her way back to where their car broke down. When she gets there, the car and everything in it is gone.
Very disturbing read. I read this in an hour; it was that good. I enjoyed the suspense. You never knew what Lizzy was going to do next. Highly recommend this book!
August 26, 2019
Wow, Wow, Wow. And I have now added Anna Willett to my favorite authors list. This was a great read (IMO). Thus I gave it a five star rating; which I am not going to try to justify since I'm not talented at such redeeming review playbacks. At any rate; this struck me as a cross between two movies that I saw several years back. One being "Beguiled"; released in 1971 starring (a very young) Clint Eastwood. And two being "Misery"; released in 1990 starring Kathy Bates and James Caan. This is a tale of the road less traveled; but in the choosing the journey just begins. The psychological horror/thriller that ensues is beyond reproach in it's rapid pace of intensity built-up with each page turned.
The expectant parents, Hal and Paige, have lost their way in the Western Australian countryside. That is until they meet Lizzy or let's say a kindred to Annie Wilkes ie. (Kathy Bates) and her larger than life traveling companion; Soona.
One can just say that things tend to go in a different direction after this meeting. And you know it's not looking good for Hal and Paige.
The story gets real busy real quick and never lets up.
The intensity is on-going/relentless.
Without a doubt I will be reading more of Anna Willetts' creations. And I can highly recommend the same to all out there who are prepared to be on the edge of your seat throughout their reading experience.
The expectant parents, Hal and Paige, have lost their way in the Western Australian countryside. That is until they meet Lizzy or let's say a kindred to Annie Wilkes ie. (Kathy Bates) and her larger than life traveling companion; Soona.
One can just say that things tend to go in a different direction after this meeting. And you know it's not looking good for Hal and Paige.
The story gets real busy real quick and never lets up.
The intensity is on-going/relentless.
Without a doubt I will be reading more of Anna Willetts' creations. And I can highly recommend the same to all out there who are prepared to be on the edge of your seat throughout their reading experience.
December 20, 2019
Paige and Hal are newly married expecting their first child. They get a flat tire and as Hal is changing the tire he gets bitten by a snake and the jack moves and the car falls on his leg. The cell phone has no reception. Paige walks to get help and a car with Lizzy driving stops to help. Lizzy discovers that Paige is pregnant and takes them to her house. Lizzy tells them that it would take 2 hours to get to a hospital and Hal needs immediate attention to his wounds. This is where the horror begins. A page turning thrill that will keep you reading.
July 6, 2016
My goodness!! I absolutely could not put this book down! I read this book EVERYWHERE I went until I finished it .... in one day!!!!! It was not typically in the genre that I normally read, but I have to give the author credit. Just goes to show that a well written story, no matter the genre, is worth the read. My hat's off to you Ms. Willett! 5 stars for this one!!! What else have you written ???
September 16, 2018
When I say that I've read this book before, I mean that I've read books almost exactly like it; there is a very strong resemblance to Stephen King's "Misery", and you honestly know what's going to happen about five pages into the story.
I feel that the author could have written something wonderful, but she leaned so heavily on various tropes that it reads as though she enjoyed a book so much that she took it and just added a few characters and changed a few words. Disappointing.
I feel that the author could have written something wonderful, but she leaned so heavily on various tropes that it reads as though she enjoyed a book so much that she took it and just added a few characters and changed a few words. Disappointing.
April 10, 2018
If you want a real thriller this book is for you!! I was thinking this was a horror movie. It sure would make a great one! I really loved how this book put me in suspense and wondering what would happen next! The author is amazing and definitely kept me scared and wanting to know how they would get out of their situation. I was surprised at the ending.
June 26, 2020
Silly title
I enjoyed his read more than I expected to, the title was very off putting.
I have read a couple of books by this writer a they are usually free, this was a better plot and I liked that it didn't have an unrealistic happy ever after ending.
I enjoyed his read more than I expected to, the title was very off putting.
I have read a couple of books by this writer a they are usually free, this was a better plot and I liked that it didn't have an unrealistic happy ever after ending.
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