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If She Wakes
Discover the electrifying new novel from New York Times bestselling author Michael Koryta, the "master" (Stephen King) of thriller writing, the story of two women fighting for their lives against an enigmatic killer.
Tara Beckley is a senior at idyllic Hammel College in Maine. As she drives to deliver a visiting professor to a conference, a horrific car accident kills the professor and leaves Tara in a vegetative state. At least, so her doctors think. In fact, she's a prisoner of locked-in syndrome: fully alert but unable to move a muscle. Trapped in her body, she learns that someone powerful wants her dead--but why? And what can she do, lying in a hospital bed, to stop them?
Abby Kaplan, an insurance investigator, is hired by the college to look in to Tara's case. A former stunt driver, Abby returned home after a disaster in Hollywood left an actor dead and her own reputation--and nerves--shattered. Despite the fog of trauma, she can tell that Tara's car crash was no accident. When she starts asking questions, things quickly spin out of control, leaving Abby on the run and a mysterious young hit man named Dax Blackwell hard on her heels.
Full of pulse-pounding tension, If She Wakes is a searing, breakneck thriller from the genre's "best of the best" (Michael Connelly).
Tara Beckley is a senior at idyllic Hammel College in Maine. As she drives to deliver a visiting professor to a conference, a horrific car accident kills the professor and leaves Tara in a vegetative state. At least, so her doctors think. In fact, she's a prisoner of locked-in syndrome: fully alert but unable to move a muscle. Trapped in her body, she learns that someone powerful wants her dead--but why? And what can she do, lying in a hospital bed, to stop them?
Abby Kaplan, an insurance investigator, is hired by the college to look in to Tara's case. A former stunt driver, Abby returned home after a disaster in Hollywood left an actor dead and her own reputation--and nerves--shattered. Despite the fog of trauma, she can tell that Tara's car crash was no accident. When she starts asking questions, things quickly spin out of control, leaving Abby on the run and a mysterious young hit man named Dax Blackwell hard on her heels.
Full of pulse-pounding tension, If She Wakes is a searing, breakneck thriller from the genre's "best of the best" (Michael Connelly).
394 pages, Hardcover
First published May 14, 2019
653 people are currently reading
8580 people want to read
About the author
Michael Koryta
51 books2,521 followersMichael Koryta (pronounced Ko-ree-ta) is the New York Times-bestselling author of 14 suspense novels. His work has been praised by Stephen King, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Dean Koontz, James Patterson, Dennis Lehane, Daniel Woodrell, Ron Rash, and Scott Smith among many others, and has been translated into more than 20 languages. His books have won or been nominated for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Edgar® Award, Shamus Award, Barry Award, Quill Award, International Thriller Writers Award, and the Golden Dagger. They've been selected as "best books of the year" by publications as diverse as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon.com, O the Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, People, Reader's Digest, iBooks, and Kirkus Reviews.
His recent thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead was named the summer's best thriller by both Amazon and Entertainment Weekly, and was selected as one of the year's best books by more than 10 publications. The audio version was named one of the best audio books of the year, as well, the second time that Robert Petkoff's narration of Michael's work has earned such an honor. The novel is currently being adapted as a major motion picture by 20th Century Fox.
Michael's previous work ranges from a trio of supernatural novels--So Cold the River, The Cypress House, and The Ridge, which were all named New York Times notable books of the year and earned starred reviews from Publishers Weekly--to stand-alone crime novels such as The Prophet (A New York Times bestseller) and Envy the Night (selected as a Reader's Digest condensed book), to a series of award-winning novels featuring private investigator Lincoln Perry--Tonight I Said Goodbye, Sorrow's Anthem, A Welcome Grave, and The Silent Hour.
Various film and television adaptations of the books are underway, with The Prophet, So Cold the River, The Cypress House, and Those Who Wish Me Dead all optioned as feature films, and the Lincoln Perry series and The Ridge being developed for television. Michael has written for the screen in both feature film and television. Oscar and Emmy winners are attached to every project.
Before turning to writing full-time, Michael worked as a private investigator and as a newspaper reporter, and taught at the Indiana University School of Journalism. He began working for a private investigator as an intern while in high school, turned it into his day job in the early stages of his writing career, and still maintains an interest in the firm. As a journalist, he won numerous awards from the Society of Professional Journalists.
Michael's first novel, the Edgar-nominated Tonight I Said Goodbye was accepted for publication when he was 20 years old. He wrote his first two published novels before graduating from college, and was published in nearly 10 languages before he fulfilled the "writing requirement" classes required for his diploma.
Michael was raised in Bloomington, Indiana, where he graduated from Bloomington North High School in 2001, and later graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. In 2008 he was honored as a "distinguished young alumni" by Indiana University, and in 2010 he was named "distinguished alumni' by the criminal justice department.
Michael's passions outside of writing and reading involve a variety of outdoor pursuits - hiking, camping, boating, and fishing are all likely to occupy his free time when he's not working on a new book. Some of his favorite spots in the world are the Beartooth Mountains, the setting of Those Who Wish Me Dead and a place to which he returns at least twice a year; the flowages of the Northwoods in Wisconsin, where he began fishing with his father as a child and still returns each fall; St. Petersburg, FL, and the Maine coast.
His recent thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead was named the summer's best thriller by both Amazon and Entertainment Weekly, and was selected as one of the year's best books by more than 10 publications. The audio version was named one of the best audio books of the year, as well, the second time that Robert Petkoff's narration of Michael's work has earned such an honor. The novel is currently being adapted as a major motion picture by 20th Century Fox.
Michael's previous work ranges from a trio of supernatural novels--So Cold the River, The Cypress House, and The Ridge, which were all named New York Times notable books of the year and earned starred reviews from Publishers Weekly--to stand-alone crime novels such as The Prophet (A New York Times bestseller) and Envy the Night (selected as a Reader's Digest condensed book), to a series of award-winning novels featuring private investigator Lincoln Perry--Tonight I Said Goodbye, Sorrow's Anthem, A Welcome Grave, and The Silent Hour.
Various film and television adaptations of the books are underway, with The Prophet, So Cold the River, The Cypress House, and Those Who Wish Me Dead all optioned as feature films, and the Lincoln Perry series and The Ridge being developed for television. Michael has written for the screen in both feature film and television. Oscar and Emmy winners are attached to every project.
Before turning to writing full-time, Michael worked as a private investigator and as a newspaper reporter, and taught at the Indiana University School of Journalism. He began working for a private investigator as an intern while in high school, turned it into his day job in the early stages of his writing career, and still maintains an interest in the firm. As a journalist, he won numerous awards from the Society of Professional Journalists.
Michael's first novel, the Edgar-nominated Tonight I Said Goodbye was accepted for publication when he was 20 years old. He wrote his first two published novels before graduating from college, and was published in nearly 10 languages before he fulfilled the "writing requirement" classes required for his diploma.
Michael was raised in Bloomington, Indiana, where he graduated from Bloomington North High School in 2001, and later graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. In 2008 he was honored as a "distinguished young alumni" by Indiana University, and in 2010 he was named "distinguished alumni' by the criminal justice department.
Michael's passions outside of writing and reading involve a variety of outdoor pursuits - hiking, camping, boating, and fishing are all likely to occupy his free time when he's not working on a new book. Some of his favorite spots in the world are the Beartooth Mountains, the setting of Those Who Wish Me Dead and a place to which he returns at least twice a year; the flowages of the Northwoods in Wisconsin, where he began fishing with his father as a child and still returns each fall; St. Petersburg, FL, and the Maine coast.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 844 reviews
May 28, 2019
4 Awesome, Tension Filled Stars!
A Visiting Professor, murdered. College Student, Tara Beckley, now in a Coma.
An Insurance Investigator is positive that the Police have it all wrong. A Hit Man covering up the tracks. Is anyone safe?
As Abby Kaplan, the Insurance Investigator discovers, the answer to that question is no. Lucky for her, she has agility, speed and intelligence on her side. The Hit Man Dax, however, never loses. Ever.
“If She Wakes” by Michael Koryta is one heck of a thrilling ride down the fast lane. Once it got going, I was literally on the edge of my seat. Believe it or not, this was my first novel by this author and the pleasure was all mine.
Thank you to NetGalley, Little Brown and Company and Michael Koryta for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on Goodreads, NetGalley and Amazon on 5.27.19.
A Visiting Professor, murdered. College Student, Tara Beckley, now in a Coma.
An Insurance Investigator is positive that the Police have it all wrong. A Hit Man covering up the tracks. Is anyone safe?
As Abby Kaplan, the Insurance Investigator discovers, the answer to that question is no. Lucky for her, she has agility, speed and intelligence on her side. The Hit Man Dax, however, never loses. Ever.
“If She Wakes” by Michael Koryta is one heck of a thrilling ride down the fast lane. Once it got going, I was literally on the edge of my seat. Believe it or not, this was my first novel by this author and the pleasure was all mine.
Thank you to NetGalley, Little Brown and Company and Michael Koryta for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on Goodreads, NetGalley and Amazon on 5.27.19.
October 7, 2022
Hello?👋🏼 Can anyone hear me?😟
Tara awakens in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. Terrified, she realizes she can’t move a muscle, and everyone is talking around her as if she wasn’t even there….why?
She must find a way to communicate with her doctors and family to let them know…"I’m alive and awake in this body!" (A very terrifying thought).
But perhaps the truth behind Tara finding herself in the hospital is far more sinister than just a car accident. Maybe someone wanted her dead. If Tara can find a way to let everyone know she’s alert, will she be safe? Or will someone come back to silence her permanently!
The third book I’ve read by this author. For some reason it’s been a long time since I dove into one of his reads. That will definitely be changing! Luckily, I have plenty of his past novels to keep me busy until his next new release.
Thank you to my local library 🎧.
Tara awakens in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. Terrified, she realizes she can’t move a muscle, and everyone is talking around her as if she wasn’t even there….why?
She must find a way to communicate with her doctors and family to let them know…"I’m alive and awake in this body!" (A very terrifying thought).
But perhaps the truth behind Tara finding herself in the hospital is far more sinister than just a car accident. Maybe someone wanted her dead. If Tara can find a way to let everyone know she’s alert, will she be safe? Or will someone come back to silence her permanently!
The third book I’ve read by this author. For some reason it’s been a long time since I dove into one of his reads. That will definitely be changing! Luckily, I have plenty of his past novels to keep me busy until his next new release.
Thank you to my local library 🎧.
April 16, 2019
This wasn't a bad book, but I'm starting to feel that I'm just not 100% compatible with Michael Koryta's new books. This is a shame, because I'm an avid cheerleader of all his older works, and perhaps this makes me biased, but it's tough to engage with your standard mob thriller when you know an author can offer so much more than your run-of-the-mill gangster plot. This also felt a smidge too long, and if it had been shaved down a little to provide a snappy, faster paced reading experience, I may have given an extra .5 star to bump my rating. If you've enjoyed the author's books in the past, and are looking for your typical thrilling read, I still recommend giving this one a try.
*Many thanks to the author for providing my review copy via NetGalley.
*Many thanks to the author for providing my review copy via NetGalley.
April 22, 2019
A college student, Tara Beckley, finds herself entangled in a sinister plot when her part-time job gives her the assignment of transporting a professor to a conference.
The tension builds as they travel along and you just know something is just not quite right. Wild ride ahead...
Things go horribly wrong, some bad dudes are on the hunt for information and it turns into an action-packed, dodging bullets and run for your life ride. The beginning pieces of the puzzle start to emerge as the events unfold at a fast pace.
A few chapters felt a bit slow when the doctor is working with the coma patient, but the process was interesting. Also really enjoyed the character of Shannon and her love for her sister, Tara.
Recommend to fans of suspense with high action, a layered mystery with a kind of mafia feel and a strong female protagonist.
Thanks to NG and Little, Brown and Company for a review copy. Out May 14,2019
The tension builds as they travel along and you just know something is just not quite right. Wild ride ahead...
Things go horribly wrong, some bad dudes are on the hunt for information and it turns into an action-packed, dodging bullets and run for your life ride. The beginning pieces of the puzzle start to emerge as the events unfold at a fast pace.
A few chapters felt a bit slow when the doctor is working with the coma patient, but the process was interesting. Also really enjoyed the character of Shannon and her love for her sister, Tara.
Recommend to fans of suspense with high action, a layered mystery with a kind of mafia feel and a strong female protagonist.
Thanks to NG and Little, Brown and Company for a review copy. Out May 14,2019
May 24, 2020
Many thanks to Little Brown for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review
So much of the terrain is unknown, but none of it is unknowable.
There is a critical difference in that.
When I say this book went at breakneck speed, what I mean is it literally was so fast and twisty that, at one point, I literally snapped my head up and gasped so quickly that I headed my neck pop.
This definitely isn't your average thriller even though it did have all the tropes of one. If She Wakes takes the blank canvas of a dry thriller and fills it with color with plot twists and characters to root for and root against.
➵ Tara - The main focus of this novel, Tara Beckley is in a suspicious accident that leaves her comatose. She is experiencing something called Locked-In Syndrome which is, in fact, a real and surprisingly rarer than I thought. The syndrome is pretty self explanatory. You are locked in your own body. Most patients with this syndrome can only blink or move their eyes. As anyone would be, Tara is terrified to wake up feeling this way. As the reader, we feel her fear and loneliness. But I loved and was encouraged to see her refuse to give up. Tara (and anyone with this syndrome) is the epitome of strength and endurance.
➵ Shannon - Tara's sister, Shannon, is not unaffected by the accident. She is silently terrified as well. She seems to be the only one who still believes in Tara. Throughout the novel, she stays strong and defends her sister to the end.
➵ Abby - Abby, an insurance investigator, is assigned to Tara's but, even though she is a complete stranger, it hits close to home. Abby's husband, Luke, was killed in an accident and ended up comatose, just like Tara. Now, Abby has to deal with both her own past and Tara's.
As I mentioned previously, Locked In Syndrome (henceforth referred to as LIS) is the main topic of the novel. I really appreciate seeing the syndrome from both the perspective of the patient and the family. In fact, I'm honestly glad to see LIS and disability in general to be covered. After doing some research, I saw how much this syndrome can effect daily living but is, somehow, not widely known about by the general population. I was also glad to see how accurate the author covered LIS. Obviously, they've either done a ton of research or have had previous experience with this.
But this is a thriller so let's talk about the thriller bits. As I said, this book does have a ton of frequently used tropes. Honestly, I think that without the POV of Tara, this book would have fallen apart. It was that magical touch of something new that has never been covered before in anything I've read that made this book so good.
I think the main thriller was all the stuff surrounding assassins. Basically, everyone is after this phone with data and everyone will kill for it. Somehow, Tara gets accidentally mixed into this mess and hence Abby gets into it too. Because Abby has to figure out the details of Tara's "accident", she has to ask a lot of questions. Questions that get her in trouble. She ends up being captured by one of the assassins. For most of the book, Abby is trying to follow the assassin, Dax Blackwell's orders and trying to escape without getting killed.
This was actually one of the most entertaining parts of the book. The chemistry between Dax and Abby was absolutely fantastic! Mainly because Dax isn't one of those villains who are straight up paranoid assholes. I think the fact that he was so confident was what made him such a fun character. He knew that he had control of the situation and when he didn't, he knew how to get it back. He was constantly chit chatting and commending Abby. It was almost a haters-to-lovers relationship. Well, more like a mortal-enemies-to-people-who-want-to-kill-each-other-but-will-feel-a-little-sad-to. Basically a road trip romcom but you know, instead of two teens it's an insurance investigator and an assassin.
Overall, this was a speedy, enthralling thriller that was not only gripping but entertaining. If you have to bring one book to that desert island that everyone is always talking about, being this one. Happy reading!
Bottom Line:
5 Stars
Age Rating: [ R ]
TW: Murder, Graphic Content
Cover: 3/5 ~ Plot: 4/5 ~ Characters: 5/5 ~ Audio: 4/5
Reps: Disability, Mental Illness
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Publication Date: May 14th, 2019
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
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May 1, 2019
3.5 stars
I was a big fan of this author’s Lincoln Perry series but it’s been a while so I was happy to get my hands on his latest stand alone. For me this was very much a book of 2 halves. I see you squinting at me so I’ll try to explain but first, the 411.
“Nineteen minutes before her brain and body parted ways, Tara Beckley’s concern was the cold.”
Got your attention? That’s the opening line & you may wonder if it might be a good idea not to get too attached to poor Tara. No worries. After a car crash, she’s still alive albeit trapped in her own body with locked in syndrome. Her passenger, a professor she was driving to a conference, didn’t fare as well.
Meanwhile a woman named Lisa Boone is wondering what happened to her latest client. She’s in the Detroit airport waiting for a professor who had one more lecture to give before she whisks him away. All she can do is ponder his last text: ASK THE GIRL.
As Tara lies in a coma, family gathers at her bedside to consider the options. It’s probably a good thing they don’t know she’s listening as they discuss when to turn off the machines & let her go. Luckily she has someone in her corner. Her sister Shannon has always had her back & refuses to believe Tara is already gone.
Then we meet Abby Kaplan, a claims investigator hired by Tara’s college to look into the accident. They sponsored the conference & want to nail down any potential legal liability stemming from the professor’s death. Fatal accidents are something Abby knows a bit about. She recently returned to Maine after surviving a crash that killed her boyfriend. It’s obvious Abby is still traumatized but she needs this job. So maybe she’ll have a couple of drinks before tackling the crime scene.
There’s a lot of history & more characters to introduce before the story can really take off. This is what I meant in the intro. The first half sets up various sub plots & establishes the cast but you soon realize Tara & Abby will be the main narrators. I enjoyed Tara’s side. Making one of your MC’s a person who never leaves her bed is an interesting choice. I fared less well with Abby. First, I have a thing about drinking & driving. That’s just a personal tic. But it was mostly the frequent references to the accident in California that sent her running back to Maine.
Her boyfriend was a well known actor so in addition to her personal grief, Abby had to deal with being excoriated in the press. It’s a horrific experience that would leave anyone reeling & we better understand her behaviour after the initial reveal. However, she (and the reader) delves into it over & over again including long passages of conversations she had with her boyfriend. Not only does it slow the pace & yank you out of the present, it doesn’t add anything to the story. We already know she’s suffering & I confess I found myself skimming these sections to get back to the current situation which was much more compelling.
Thankfully, this happens less often in the second half. The plot is intricate & things really get interesting when we spend time with a creepy young killer hell bent on making sure no one digs into the circumstances around Tara’s accident. It becomes a fast paced read with several nice twists that keep you turning the pages.
So with 3 stars for the first half & 4 for the second, I’ll split the difference.
I was a big fan of this author’s Lincoln Perry series but it’s been a while so I was happy to get my hands on his latest stand alone. For me this was very much a book of 2 halves. I see you squinting at me so I’ll try to explain but first, the 411.
“Nineteen minutes before her brain and body parted ways, Tara Beckley’s concern was the cold.”
Got your attention? That’s the opening line & you may wonder if it might be a good idea not to get too attached to poor Tara. No worries. After a car crash, she’s still alive albeit trapped in her own body with locked in syndrome. Her passenger, a professor she was driving to a conference, didn’t fare as well.
Meanwhile a woman named Lisa Boone is wondering what happened to her latest client. She’s in the Detroit airport waiting for a professor who had one more lecture to give before she whisks him away. All she can do is ponder his last text: ASK THE GIRL.
As Tara lies in a coma, family gathers at her bedside to consider the options. It’s probably a good thing they don’t know she’s listening as they discuss when to turn off the machines & let her go. Luckily she has someone in her corner. Her sister Shannon has always had her back & refuses to believe Tara is already gone.
Then we meet Abby Kaplan, a claims investigator hired by Tara’s college to look into the accident. They sponsored the conference & want to nail down any potential legal liability stemming from the professor’s death. Fatal accidents are something Abby knows a bit about. She recently returned to Maine after surviving a crash that killed her boyfriend. It’s obvious Abby is still traumatized but she needs this job. So maybe she’ll have a couple of drinks before tackling the crime scene.
There’s a lot of history & more characters to introduce before the story can really take off. This is what I meant in the intro. The first half sets up various sub plots & establishes the cast but you soon realize Tara & Abby will be the main narrators. I enjoyed Tara’s side. Making one of your MC’s a person who never leaves her bed is an interesting choice. I fared less well with Abby. First, I have a thing about drinking & driving. That’s just a personal tic. But it was mostly the frequent references to the accident in California that sent her running back to Maine.
Her boyfriend was a well known actor so in addition to her personal grief, Abby had to deal with being excoriated in the press. It’s a horrific experience that would leave anyone reeling & we better understand her behaviour after the initial reveal. However, she (and the reader) delves into it over & over again including long passages of conversations she had with her boyfriend. Not only does it slow the pace & yank you out of the present, it doesn’t add anything to the story. We already know she’s suffering & I confess I found myself skimming these sections to get back to the current situation which was much more compelling.
Thankfully, this happens less often in the second half. The plot is intricate & things really get interesting when we spend time with a creepy young killer hell bent on making sure no one digs into the circumstances around Tara’s accident. It becomes a fast paced read with several nice twists that keep you turning the pages.
So with 3 stars for the first half & 4 for the second, I’ll split the difference.
June 18, 2019
Too bad this high octane thriller fizzles at the end like an evaporating mist.! -1. Write a stronger end, Mr. Koryta! 8 of 10 stars
September 15, 2022
4.5 Stars for If She Wakes (audiobook) by Michael Koryta read by Robert Petkoff.
Wow, this was quite a thrill ride. Lots of action and suspense. One woman trying to regain consciousness and another trying to track down a killer.
Wow, this was quite a thrill ride. Lots of action and suspense. One woman trying to regain consciousness and another trying to track down a killer.
November 22, 2019
Brilliant thriller! Locked-in syndrome has been done before, but not like this.
April 22, 2024
Audiobook. Once again, Robert Petkoff's narration was spectacular (he even aced the accents in this one). Whilst two of the MC's were female, it mattered not, as they were told in 3rd person.
This book could easily have been renamed "The iPhone That Came in from the Cold" or "The Day of the iPhone" or "The iPhone Identity." OK, I jest, but dang that F&*$#ing iPhone!!!!
This was my second Koryta book--and it won't be my last, although I might need to take a wee bit of a break. I fear I might need to catch my breath after all that exertion.
I mean there was SO MUCH BLOODY EXERTION, so much TRYING AND PUSHING AND RUSHING to get to the next bit of action, I was, by the end, exhausted (and vicariously sweaty).
The setup was rather lame, but by the time we got to Abby--DEAR ABBY I LOVED YOU SO--I was ready to strap in and go along for the high-speed ride. Koryta KNOWS how to put the pedal to the medal--literally--and phew, this book flew by.
Did I love it? Yes and no. I got confused numerous times. Who's phone? Which phone? And oh man, did I have questions, so many questions, like: Abby didn't know which phone was which so how was it she just randomly picked the right one to keep in the car? And why couldn't Shannon figure out a way to disguise her actions with a note not seen by the camera? And WHY WHY WHY does this author insist on killing so many good people? Why? It makes me so sad that he does that, but, yeah, I get it.
One bothersome aspect: Tara and Abby were too much alike--the thoughts they thunk, the ways in which they self-bolstered. I didn't mind all that much because they were both heroines worth rooting for and they were the reasons I kept on keeping on.
As for the villain: ahem...OK, so do they need to be THAT superhuman? THAT evil? There could have a been a bit more nuance there, but, again, in for a penny, in for the whole payoff.
In the end I was entirely satisfied--even if still confused.
This book could easily have been renamed "The iPhone That Came in from the Cold" or "The Day of the iPhone" or "The iPhone Identity." OK, I jest, but dang that F&*$#ing iPhone!!!!
This was my second Koryta book--and it won't be my last, although I might need to take a wee bit of a break. I fear I might need to catch my breath after all that exertion.
I mean there was SO MUCH BLOODY EXERTION, so much TRYING AND PUSHING AND RUSHING to get to the next bit of action, I was, by the end, exhausted (and vicariously sweaty).
The setup was rather lame, but by the time we got to Abby--DEAR ABBY I LOVED YOU SO--I was ready to strap in and go along for the high-speed ride. Koryta KNOWS how to put the pedal to the medal--literally--and phew, this book flew by.
Did I love it? Yes and no. I got confused numerous times. Who's phone? Which phone? And oh man, did I have questions, so many questions, like: Abby didn't know which phone was which so how was it she just randomly picked the right one to keep in the car? And why couldn't Shannon figure out a way to disguise her actions with a note not seen by the camera? And WHY WHY WHY does this author insist on killing so many good people? Why? It makes me so sad that he does that, but, yeah, I get it.
One bothersome aspect: Tara and Abby were too much alike--the thoughts they thunk, the ways in which they self-bolstered. I didn't mind all that much because they were both heroines worth rooting for and they were the reasons I kept on keeping on.
As for the villain: ahem...OK, so do they need to be THAT superhuman? THAT evil? There could have a been a bit more nuance there, but, again, in for a penny, in for the whole payoff.
In the end I was entirely satisfied--even if still confused.
May 29, 2019
Michael Koryta has grown to be one of my favorite suspense writers over the last few years. His novels are intricately woven with thrilling characters, plowing through a plot that just won't let go. If She Wakes does not disappoint.
Tara Beckley is given the responsibility of welcoming a professor who's scheduled to give a speech at her college in Maine. One moment she's wondering why the professor is behaving so strangely, and the next, she's a prisoner in her own body. A fatal crash leaves her with "locked-in-syndrome".
Completely aware of her surroundings and the people around her, Tara fights to be heard. Yet, there are many who hope to silence her forever. Koryta introduces us to a world where no one is to be trusted and that the only person holding the key to survival is locked in.
If She Wakes presents readers with a host of characters most would not want to encounter for their whole lives. And what everyone is after is the professor's phone that may have extremely valuable information that is worth killing over.
I would like to say I had at least one gripe with this novel, but all the characters are so clever (and cleverly drawn), and the mysteries behind their motivations are equally captivating, that I don't have anything bad to say at all. Koryta delivers twist after twist with the skill of a professional driver hitting the pavement in a car that goes 0-60 in less than 5 seconds.
If She Wakes is a thrilling ride with a master in the thriller/suspense genre. Michael Koryta is at the top of his game with this one. I might be a tad bit bias since I am a fan, but I only hope to wake-up those who haven't had the pleasure of reading his books.
Copy provided by Little, Brown, and Company via Netgalley
Tara Beckley is given the responsibility of welcoming a professor who's scheduled to give a speech at her college in Maine. One moment she's wondering why the professor is behaving so strangely, and the next, she's a prisoner in her own body. A fatal crash leaves her with "locked-in-syndrome".
Completely aware of her surroundings and the people around her, Tara fights to be heard. Yet, there are many who hope to silence her forever. Koryta introduces us to a world where no one is to be trusted and that the only person holding the key to survival is locked in.
If She Wakes presents readers with a host of characters most would not want to encounter for their whole lives. And what everyone is after is the professor's phone that may have extremely valuable information that is worth killing over.
I would like to say I had at least one gripe with this novel, but all the characters are so clever (and cleverly drawn), and the mysteries behind their motivations are equally captivating, that I don't have anything bad to say at all. Koryta delivers twist after twist with the skill of a professional driver hitting the pavement in a car that goes 0-60 in less than 5 seconds.
If She Wakes is a thrilling ride with a master in the thriller/suspense genre. Michael Koryta is at the top of his game with this one. I might be a tad bit bias since I am a fan, but I only hope to wake-up those who haven't had the pleasure of reading his books.
Copy provided by Little, Brown, and Company via Netgalley
March 28, 2019
Tara Beckley is escorting a professor to speak at her university when tragedy strikes. A runaway van collides with Tara’s CR-V instantly killing the professor and sending Tara careening into a nearby river. A short time later, Tara awakens to discover she is fully conscious and aware but unable to communicate with the outside world – a victim of “locked-in syndrome”.
Private Investigator Abby Kaplan has been hired by the university to look into the accident and remove any shred of liability on their behalf. As she digs deeper, she begins to uncover that this was no simple accident, but rather an execution. Can Abby put together the pieces before those that eliminated the professor return to finish the job with Tara?
I received a free copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.
If She Wakes reads like a script for a Liam Neeson or Keanu Reeves action thriller, although I’m not sure if either of them would have a role to play. It reminds me of the type of movie I would have rented on a Friday night in my early twenties when I was obsessed with low-budget action flicks.
The novel’s principal protagonist is an Irish mobster who came of age as a member of the IRA during the 1980s. His dispatched hitman, Dax Blackwell, is a great villain and the perfect adversary for Abby – a former Hollywood stunt driver. I felt the scenes they shared were the best parts of the novel as the duo played cat and mouse.
As for the plot, I found things got a bit too silly and a little too unbelievable. I wasn’t big on the twist in the novel’s finale and I didn’t much care for the character of Lisa Boone, a government agent racing against Dax to retrieve the professor’s lost phone, as I felt she added yet another layer to an already convoluted plot.
I will say there are two things I didn’t like outside of the actual content of the book. I really do not like the book’s title and I very much dislike the cover. If I didn’t have prior experience with Michael Koryta (his novel The Prophet is exceptional), I wouldn’t even pick this one off the shelf. Maybe it’s the plethora of “The Girl with/that/who” titles that are just clogging up the shelves nowadays coupled with the fact that Tara is basically awake the entire time. I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but sometimes you can’t help it.
All negative criticism aside, If She Wakes is surface-level storytelling that hits the highway and speeds to its destination, despite that it is on a road that is littered with potholes.
Private Investigator Abby Kaplan has been hired by the university to look into the accident and remove any shred of liability on their behalf. As she digs deeper, she begins to uncover that this was no simple accident, but rather an execution. Can Abby put together the pieces before those that eliminated the professor return to finish the job with Tara?
I received a free copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.
If She Wakes reads like a script for a Liam Neeson or Keanu Reeves action thriller, although I’m not sure if either of them would have a role to play. It reminds me of the type of movie I would have rented on a Friday night in my early twenties when I was obsessed with low-budget action flicks.
The novel’s principal protagonist is an Irish mobster who came of age as a member of the IRA during the 1980s. His dispatched hitman, Dax Blackwell, is a great villain and the perfect adversary for Abby – a former Hollywood stunt driver. I felt the scenes they shared were the best parts of the novel as the duo played cat and mouse.
As for the plot, I found things got a bit too silly and a little too unbelievable. I wasn’t big on the twist in the novel’s finale and I didn’t much care for the character of Lisa Boone, a government agent racing against Dax to retrieve the professor’s lost phone, as I felt she added yet another layer to an already convoluted plot.
I will say there are two things I didn’t like outside of the actual content of the book. I really do not like the book’s title and I very much dislike the cover. If I didn’t have prior experience with Michael Koryta (his novel The Prophet is exceptional), I wouldn’t even pick this one off the shelf. Maybe it’s the plethora of “The Girl with/that/who” titles that are just clogging up the shelves nowadays coupled with the fact that Tara is basically awake the entire time. I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but sometimes you can’t help it.
All negative criticism aside, If She Wakes is surface-level storytelling that hits the highway and speeds to its destination, despite that it is on a road that is littered with potholes.
May 15, 2019
If She Wakes by Michael is a psychological thriller
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Little, Brown and Company, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Tara Beckley, a student at Hammel College, is currently escorting a rather tense Dr. Armandi Oltamu, back to the school so he can speak to the students on “batteries”. On the way, he requests a more scenic route. When Tara pulls over by the foot-bridge, they both get out of the car and he snaps some pictures, asking Tara to lock his phone in her glove box. That accomplished, they both turn as a vehicle slams into them. Oltamu is dead, and Tara ends up in a coma.
Carlos Ramirez immediately confessed to causing the accident.
Abby Kaplan is an insurance investigator hired by Hammel College to investigate the accident to make sure they will not be sued. An ex-stunt driver, Abby immediately sees an issue. There is no way Ramirez’s story adds up. Then she discovers that the doctor's phone is missing.
Dax Blackwell, a young man with a black cap and hoodie looks like an innocent teenager. He is a killer, and he is looking for that missing phone. There is big money on the line. He isn’t the only one looking.
Tara may be in a coma, but she is aware of everything going on around her. Her sister, Shannon, seems to be the only one that feels Tara’s energy. Her mother, step-father and most of the hospital staff have already written her off. If Tara can’t let them know she’s still with them, they will pull the plug. That’s if the killer doesn’t get to her first.
My Opinions:
WOW. This one grabbed me from the first page, and I just hung on. Didn’t want to put it down, not for nothing! There was so much suspense, and edge-of-the seat moments, that you just had to take a breath every now and then.
The plot and twists were really good, and the characters had enough background that they felt real. The relationship between the sisters was really good, and so was dynamics between Abby and Dax. They “got” each other.
This was an action-packed book, and although I am not into spy or mafia novels, it did have that sort of feel. It didn’t bother me a bit. There was so much suspense, and edge-of-the seat moments, that you just had to take a breath every now and then.
Highly recommend this book!
For a more complete review of this book and others, please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
April 20, 2019
Tara is tasked with one thing - get a VIP to his destination by a certain time. So why did that VIP die and she in a coma? Clearly something is afoot. The crappy thing about being in a coma, besides the obvious.... being trapped inside (locked-in syndrome) while your memories start to come back but no way to communicate or let anyone around her know she's actually in there. HELLOOOOO!
Dax - young, scary and eerily calm... didn't quite fulfill the job he was assigned and now he has to clean up the mess others think he created and that he just shrugs off. It's in his blood. He's devious, smart, quick and undeterred. I fear for anyone who comes across him or gets in his way.
This is my first Koryta and I've heard nothing but amazing things about his books. Honestly, I'm surprised I haven't picked up one of his novels before but there's no time like the present, right? I can tell you that I absolutely love his writing style. Very easy to read, you get engaged with each character and the dialogue was honestly my favorite part. I don't know how this would compare to his previous work but I guarantee I'll pick up more by Koryta moving forward. I did feel this particular story could've been shorted just a teeny bit - especially as the ending felt slightly rushed. I also didn't understand why that very last chapter was necessary. I feel like maybe I missed something somewhere?
Here's something that I adored about this book - very strong women characters.. and Dax. **wink** The banter between Dax and Abby, and Tara's sister, Shannon, with everyone was really fun to read. I love snarky, smart women. The locked-in syndrome gave me SOMETIMES I LIE by Alice Feeney vibes. I don't know what it is about this that I just find so fascinating. Maybe it's from watching SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW eons ago and thinking that would be one of the worst things to happen to someone. Who knows?!
Those who like thrillers that have that mob mentality / trapped in your body vibe, then this is absolutely the read for you.
Thank you Little Brown for this copy.
Dax - young, scary and eerily calm... didn't quite fulfill the job he was assigned and now he has to clean up the mess others think he created and that he just shrugs off. It's in his blood. He's devious, smart, quick and undeterred. I fear for anyone who comes across him or gets in his way.
This is my first Koryta and I've heard nothing but amazing things about his books. Honestly, I'm surprised I haven't picked up one of his novels before but there's no time like the present, right? I can tell you that I absolutely love his writing style. Very easy to read, you get engaged with each character and the dialogue was honestly my favorite part. I don't know how this would compare to his previous work but I guarantee I'll pick up more by Koryta moving forward. I did feel this particular story could've been shorted just a teeny bit - especially as the ending felt slightly rushed. I also didn't understand why that very last chapter was necessary. I feel like maybe I missed something somewhere?
Here's something that I adored about this book - very strong women characters.. and Dax. **wink** The banter between Dax and Abby, and Tara's sister, Shannon, with everyone was really fun to read. I love snarky, smart women. The locked-in syndrome gave me SOMETIMES I LIE by Alice Feeney vibes. I don't know what it is about this that I just find so fascinating. Maybe it's from watching SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW eons ago and thinking that would be one of the worst things to happen to someone. Who knows?!
Those who like thrillers that have that mob mentality / trapped in your body vibe, then this is absolutely the read for you.
Thank you Little Brown for this copy.
April 8, 2025
I have very mixed feelings about this book. First, I like this author, I have read other books by him and always enjoy them, but this book is a little different IMO for him. It is not a typical mystery, to me, it is more of a medical mystery because it's all about a girl who has "locked in syndrome" and had she tries to get out of it, how her family and the doctors try to help her and a murder that she is somehow involved in that needs to be figured out. There are lots of characters in the story and lots of side things going on but one of the main interesting things to me was there was a lot of medical information and I checked because I thought author could have been a doctor at one time, but no. I also did not feel that the whole murder mystery thing was solved by the end of the book. Did not feel we ever knew exactly who was behind all the murders and exactly what was going on. I gave the book 4 stars because it was an interesting read, it just took me a while to read book, went slow, but interesting.
June 5, 2019
I enjoyed this one.
Surprisingly, my favorite character was Tara - and she was basically locked in her own body.
Definitely some surprises throughout and it was nicely twisty.
I was a little less enthralled with the reason behind everything, but the book kept my interest. I simply had to keep reading to find out how everything would end.
A good read.
Surprisingly, my favorite character was Tara - and she was basically locked in her own body.
Definitely some surprises throughout and it was nicely twisty.
I was a little less enthralled with the reason behind everything, but the book kept my interest. I simply had to keep reading to find out how everything would end.
A good read.
April 23, 2019
4.5 stars, actually.
To the best of my recollection, I've read only one other book by Michael Koryta (Rise the Dark in 2016, to which I gave 5 stars). And "Short Story," which he co-wrote with Karin Slaughter for the 2017 Matchup compilation was my favorite of the bunch. So it was that I was delighted to get an advance review copy of this book from the publisher (via NetGalley). In fact, I stayed delighted all the way through the nonstop action; when I got within shouting distance of the end, not even this season's final episode of "Madame Secretary" could make me turn off my Kindle (well, okay, I finished up during the commercials, but you get my point).
Tara Beckley, a senior at Hammel College in Maine, is tapped to escort a high-profile keynote speaker to his presentation at the college. Although they're on a tight schedule, the visiting professor asks her to show him some of her favorite spots in and around campus. Reluctantly, she agrees - even when he decides to get out and walk. Shortly thereafter, a car comes out of nowhere, mowing down the professor and knocking Tara into a bridge barrier. When she awakes (if you can call it that), she's in a hospital bed unable to move or speak. Readers know she can think, see and hear, though - but that's of little consequence because everyone around her (except perhaps her sister Shannon) assumes she's in a coma from which she'll never recover. If they all give up on a possible recovery, what would happen next is almost too frightening for her to bear.
Meanwhile, former race and stunt car driver and now insurance investigator Abby Kaplan has been hired by the college to look into the college's potential for liability - after all, it provided Tara as an escort. To prove there's no fault, she must dig into every angle of how the accident happened. Right from the git-go, though, she learns one very important thing: The accident definitely wasn't an accident.
Thrown into the mix is a very nasty predator known as Dax and his "boss" Gerry Connors, both of whom have intense, but perhaps different, interests in the late professor and what he really was up to. Then there's Hank, Abby's boss, mentor and friend, and Tara's aforementioned sister Shannon - Tara's strongest ally. And don't count out Tara herself, who struggles to make her family and doctors believe she's still "in there." Everyone who loves her, of course, is pulling for her return to the real world. But Dax and others are watching her progress closely; if she recovers, it's likely she'll need to be silenced - this time, permanently.
Chapters flip among the various characters, holding my attention throughout and providing me with inside looks at what they're thinking before, during and after they do it. To that end, though, I must say that I marveled at how quickly and in-depth the characters figured out what was happening and how they should handle the situations. I like to think I'm a fairly intelligent person, but put me in high-stress, life-threatening scenarios like these folks faced and it would take me months to decide what to do next (by which time, of course, I'd be six feet under). Then, too, I do think the medical professionals should have been able to detect brain activity long before they did in this case.
That noted, everything comes together to make for an exciting journey that ends with...oops, almost forgot that's not my story to tell. It's the author's -- and it's a doozy. Very entertaining!
To the best of my recollection, I've read only one other book by Michael Koryta (Rise the Dark in 2016, to which I gave 5 stars). And "Short Story," which he co-wrote with Karin Slaughter for the 2017 Matchup compilation was my favorite of the bunch. So it was that I was delighted to get an advance review copy of this book from the publisher (via NetGalley). In fact, I stayed delighted all the way through the nonstop action; when I got within shouting distance of the end, not even this season's final episode of "Madame Secretary" could make me turn off my Kindle (well, okay, I finished up during the commercials, but you get my point).
Tara Beckley, a senior at Hammel College in Maine, is tapped to escort a high-profile keynote speaker to his presentation at the college. Although they're on a tight schedule, the visiting professor asks her to show him some of her favorite spots in and around campus. Reluctantly, she agrees - even when he decides to get out and walk. Shortly thereafter, a car comes out of nowhere, mowing down the professor and knocking Tara into a bridge barrier. When she awakes (if you can call it that), she's in a hospital bed unable to move or speak. Readers know she can think, see and hear, though - but that's of little consequence because everyone around her (except perhaps her sister Shannon) assumes she's in a coma from which she'll never recover. If they all give up on a possible recovery, what would happen next is almost too frightening for her to bear.
Meanwhile, former race and stunt car driver and now insurance investigator Abby Kaplan has been hired by the college to look into the college's potential for liability - after all, it provided Tara as an escort. To prove there's no fault, she must dig into every angle of how the accident happened. Right from the git-go, though, she learns one very important thing: The accident definitely wasn't an accident.
Thrown into the mix is a very nasty predator known as Dax and his "boss" Gerry Connors, both of whom have intense, but perhaps different, interests in the late professor and what he really was up to. Then there's Hank, Abby's boss, mentor and friend, and Tara's aforementioned sister Shannon - Tara's strongest ally. And don't count out Tara herself, who struggles to make her family and doctors believe she's still "in there." Everyone who loves her, of course, is pulling for her return to the real world. But Dax and others are watching her progress closely; if she recovers, it's likely she'll need to be silenced - this time, permanently.
Chapters flip among the various characters, holding my attention throughout and providing me with inside looks at what they're thinking before, during and after they do it. To that end, though, I must say that I marveled at how quickly and in-depth the characters figured out what was happening and how they should handle the situations. I like to think I'm a fairly intelligent person, but put me in high-stress, life-threatening scenarios like these folks faced and it would take me months to decide what to do next (by which time, of course, I'd be six feet under). Then, too, I do think the medical professionals should have been able to detect brain activity long before they did in this case.
That noted, everything comes together to make for an exciting journey that ends with...oops, almost forgot that's not my story to tell. It's the author's -- and it's a doozy. Very entertaining!
November 1, 2019
I've read several of Koryta's books in the past and they have really resonated with me.
I almost gave up on this one about the 30% mark. It started off so slow and I had a tough time connecting to any of the characters. The story really started to pick up after a third of the way in and from then on it was non-stop. It jumped back and forth between Abby (the investigator) and Tara (the accident). I started to warm to the characters, but never really connected to any of them. But the story was interesting once it got going.
I almost gave up on this one about the 30% mark. It started off so slow and I had a tough time connecting to any of the characters. The story really started to pick up after a third of the way in and from then on it was non-stop. It jumped back and forth between Abby (the investigator) and Tara (the accident). I started to warm to the characters, but never really connected to any of them. But the story was interesting once it got going.
June 12, 2019
Disappointingly, especially because I did enjoy the writing, I just couldn't get into this story. At all. Too many side stories, and too many characters that I didn't care about. I'll have to look into other novels by Koryta because If She Wakes surely can't be his best work.
If She Wakes begins with Tara Beckley, a senior in college, driving an important man to an event. A horrific accident occurs, which leaves the man dead and Tara in a coma with locked-in syndrome, seemingly brain dead to onlookers. Abby, an insurance investigator, is hired by the college to see if they could be blamed for the accident. She discovers that the "accident" story doesn't quite line up and it must've been a deliberate attack. Next thing she knows, she's being chased by a teenage hitman named Dax.
The ending wasn't as satisfying as I'd hoped it'd be. The book really could've been shortened, too, since it dragged on at some places.
If She Wakes begins with Tara Beckley, a senior in college, driving an important man to an event. A horrific accident occurs, which leaves the man dead and Tara in a coma with locked-in syndrome, seemingly brain dead to onlookers. Abby, an insurance investigator, is hired by the college to see if they could be blamed for the accident. She discovers that the "accident" story doesn't quite line up and it must've been a deliberate attack. Next thing she knows, she's being chased by a teenage hitman named Dax.
The ending wasn't as satisfying as I'd hoped it'd be. The book really could've been shortened, too, since it dragged on at some places.
April 2, 2019
A tragic auto accident in a Maine college town has left a visiting professor dead, and his senior escort, Tara Beckley with locked in syndrome.....fully conscious, but unable to move.
And in extreme danger.
An accident that may not have been accidental, yet didn't go the way it should have.
Someone is out to clean up the mess....and the bodies begin to drop....
Koryta's latest is an engaging thriller that takes Murphy's Law for a breakneck ride, which the author masterfully keeps right at the edge of losing control, leaving the reader with their fingers embedded in the dashboard.
Highly recommended.
This was an eARC from NetGalley.
And in extreme danger.
An accident that may not have been accidental, yet didn't go the way it should have.
Someone is out to clean up the mess....and the bodies begin to drop....
Koryta's latest is an engaging thriller that takes Murphy's Law for a breakneck ride, which the author masterfully keeps right at the edge of losing control, leaving the reader with their fingers embedded in the dashboard.
Highly recommended.
This was an eARC from NetGalley.
June 21, 2019
I've been a fan of Michael Koryta for years. When I first started my blog, I was enamored with the way he mixed supernatural elements into the plots of his thrillers. More recently, Koryta has cranked out new standalone mysteries, eschewing the temptation of settling into a regular series in favor of original plots and characters. I enjoyed How It Happened so much that I instantly vowed to read whatever he came up with next. Koryta's publisher generously provided me a copy of If She Wakes, which I eagerly devoured over the last few days.
Tara Beckley is trapped inside her own body. She lies in the hospital bed, attached to machines and fully conscious, but unable to speak or move. Heck, even a blink would be welcomed at this point. She remembers driving the professor to his speech. She remembers his odd request for a detour. She remembers the van crashing into her car, leaving the professor dead and her lying in this hospital bed with locked-in syndrome. Tara just needs to be able to tell everyone what happened.
Abby Kaplan has a simple job to do. As a claims investigator, Abby has been tasked with making sure Tara's university can't be faulted for the death of the visiting professor. They had Tara pick the guest lecturer up from the airport, so they want to make sure their own interests are covered. The driver of the van has already admitted his fault in the accident, so Abby is merely there as a formality. She is a former stunt driver who gave it all up after a horrific accident. As she looks at the tracks on the street and angles of the cars, Abby realizes that everyone has simply trusted the van driver's story. The evidence points to something much more nefarious.
There is no denying Micahel Koryta's skill at crafting intriguing stories with relatable characters. If She Wakes hinges upon a simple premise and is full of the kind of characters I love to read about. Still, I couldn't help like something was missing from this novel. Instead of a plot propelled by layers of deep character development and thoughtful contemplations on larger themes, If She Wakes serves more as pure action entertainment. That's not to say I wasn't sucked into the momentum of the novel, I was. I guess I've just come to expect more from Koryta's work. Still, I'm a sucker for a thriller with the kinds of twists and turns If She Wakes presented, so I'll recommend it as a worthy addition to any summer reading list.
Tara Beckley is trapped inside her own body. She lies in the hospital bed, attached to machines and fully conscious, but unable to speak or move. Heck, even a blink would be welcomed at this point. She remembers driving the professor to his speech. She remembers his odd request for a detour. She remembers the van crashing into her car, leaving the professor dead and her lying in this hospital bed with locked-in syndrome. Tara just needs to be able to tell everyone what happened.
Abby Kaplan has a simple job to do. As a claims investigator, Abby has been tasked with making sure Tara's university can't be faulted for the death of the visiting professor. They had Tara pick the guest lecturer up from the airport, so they want to make sure their own interests are covered. The driver of the van has already admitted his fault in the accident, so Abby is merely there as a formality. She is a former stunt driver who gave it all up after a horrific accident. As she looks at the tracks on the street and angles of the cars, Abby realizes that everyone has simply trusted the van driver's story. The evidence points to something much more nefarious.
There is no denying Micahel Koryta's skill at crafting intriguing stories with relatable characters. If She Wakes hinges upon a simple premise and is full of the kind of characters I love to read about. Still, I couldn't help like something was missing from this novel. Instead of a plot propelled by layers of deep character development and thoughtful contemplations on larger themes, If She Wakes serves more as pure action entertainment. That's not to say I wasn't sucked into the momentum of the novel, I was. I guess I've just come to expect more from Koryta's work. Still, I'm a sucker for a thriller with the kinds of twists and turns If She Wakes presented, so I'll recommend it as a worthy addition to any summer reading list.
May 18, 2019
If She Wakes is a multi-layered psychological thriller. Because there are so many different facets to this story, it takes a while for all the pieces to start fitting together. Initially, it might feel like there are too many different subplots, but once they connect the story is an intense roller coaster ride.
I found the parts featuring Tara and locked-in syndrome to be both compelling and disturbing. Despite her character never leaving the bed, she brought a lot of emotion and intensity to the story.
I wasn't as big a fan of Abby, who wallowed in self-pity and alcohol through a big chunk of the book. That being said, her character still felt real. I just don't have a lot of patience for people (or characters) who wallow. And while we spent a whole lot of time wallowing in the past over her accident and dead actor boyfriend, we were never told why she wasn't held legally responsible. This omission gnawed at me.
My favorite character was a young man called Dax. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll only say that he fascinated me.
The early scenes with Professor Oltamu and certain things he did made no sense. Even when the reasoning was disclosed, it seemed weird, clearly done to launch the plot but not particularly believable.
Aside from my quibbles with certain aspects, I enjoyed the story overall. The pace is quick and the story certainly held my attention.
*I received a review copy from the publisher, via Amazon Vine.*
I found the parts featuring Tara and locked-in syndrome to be both compelling and disturbing. Despite her character never leaving the bed, she brought a lot of emotion and intensity to the story.
I wasn't as big a fan of Abby, who wallowed in self-pity and alcohol through a big chunk of the book. That being said, her character still felt real. I just don't have a lot of patience for people (or characters) who wallow. And while we spent a whole lot of time wallowing in the past over her accident and dead actor boyfriend, we were never told why she wasn't held legally responsible. This omission gnawed at me.
My favorite character was a young man called Dax. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll only say that he fascinated me.
The early scenes with Professor Oltamu and certain things he did made no sense. Even when the reasoning was disclosed, it seemed weird, clearly done to launch the plot but not particularly believable.
Aside from my quibbles with certain aspects, I enjoyed the story overall. The pace is quick and the story certainly held my attention.
*I received a review copy from the publisher, via Amazon Vine.*
October 20, 2019
I'm just happy to be done with this book.
I think it started off pretty good. It was an interesting concept, but the author was so long-winded and rambling about unnecessary things that it did not keep my attention. Add to the fact that there is basically no plot to this book, and I was ready to be done with it for a very long time. A lot of action happens, car chases, kidnappings, murder, etc. but throughout all of that nothing is actually HAPPENING. At the beginning, mystery man has a phone that he mysteriously locks, and throughout the book several bad people are trying to get the phone, and it exchanges hands a few times...and that's the plot. That's literally it. And I just didn't care enough. There were never any twists, nothing shocking, nothing interesting. Sure, there were a few parts where I cared about certain characters and what was happening in that moment, but overall the storyline was very boring.
I think if you're into cars and car chases and stunt drivers and movies like Fast & Furious, you might really enjoy this book. I am not that person, and I really didn't enjoy this book all that much.
I think it started off pretty good. It was an interesting concept, but the author was so long-winded and rambling about unnecessary things that it did not keep my attention. Add to the fact that there is basically no plot to this book, and I was ready to be done with it for a very long time. A lot of action happens, car chases, kidnappings, murder, etc. but throughout all of that nothing is actually HAPPENING. At the beginning, mystery man has a phone that he mysteriously locks, and throughout the book several bad people are trying to get the phone, and it exchanges hands a few times...and that's the plot. That's literally it. And I just didn't care enough. There were never any twists, nothing shocking, nothing interesting. Sure, there were a few parts where I cared about certain characters and what was happening in that moment, but overall the storyline was very boring.
I think if you're into cars and car chases and stunt drivers and movies like Fast & Furious, you might really enjoy this book. I am not that person, and I really didn't enjoy this book all that much.
November 28, 2021
4.5/5
Do you love nonstop action and books that read like action movies? If you said yes to one or both of those then If She Wakes by Michael Koryta is the book for you! This is a really old NetGalley read for me and I really wish I had gotten to it sooner based on how much I thoroughly loved it. It starts off with a bang and the suspense and action just keep coming the entire time. I loved both Abby and Tara, but the real star for me was Abby and her stellar driving skills. It was so fun having a female former stunt driver as one of the viewpoints, and her driving could put some NASCAR drivers to shame. She is just the kind of badass female character I love having in my books and I definitely enjoyed her POV the best. There are many POVs and even though she was my favorite, I really loved having every single one of them.
The narrator for the audiobook is Robert Petkoff and while I loved him, I would have preferred a female narrator since there are so many women involved in the story. That being said, the audio is still great, and a great way to go if you don't have time to actually sit down and read a book. As soon as I saw Connelly was endorsing If She Wakes I had to read it, and I am so glad I did even though it took me a couple of years!! I see that Koryta has a bunch of books published and I will definitely be checking out his backlist along with anything else he writes in the future. This was such a whirlwind of a story, but perfectly executed and full of twists and thrills. I was totally satisfied with the end and even the bit of ambiguity associated with it didn't bother me. If She Wakes is full of tension, and everything together created the perfect, quick read!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Do you love nonstop action and books that read like action movies? If you said yes to one or both of those then If She Wakes by Michael Koryta is the book for you! This is a really old NetGalley read for me and I really wish I had gotten to it sooner based on how much I thoroughly loved it. It starts off with a bang and the suspense and action just keep coming the entire time. I loved both Abby and Tara, but the real star for me was Abby and her stellar driving skills. It was so fun having a female former stunt driver as one of the viewpoints, and her driving could put some NASCAR drivers to shame. She is just the kind of badass female character I love having in my books and I definitely enjoyed her POV the best. There are many POVs and even though she was my favorite, I really loved having every single one of them.
The narrator for the audiobook is Robert Petkoff and while I loved him, I would have preferred a female narrator since there are so many women involved in the story. That being said, the audio is still great, and a great way to go if you don't have time to actually sit down and read a book. As soon as I saw Connelly was endorsing If She Wakes I had to read it, and I am so glad I did even though it took me a couple of years!! I see that Koryta has a bunch of books published and I will definitely be checking out his backlist along with anything else he writes in the future. This was such a whirlwind of a story, but perfectly executed and full of twists and thrills. I was totally satisfied with the end and even the bit of ambiguity associated with it didn't bother me. If She Wakes is full of tension, and everything together created the perfect, quick read!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Read
May 15, 2019Tara Beckley is a college student who committed to delivering Amandi Oltamu to his keynote presentation on campus. He asks her for the scenic tour on the way to campus and appears agitated and worried about something. At one point, they stop and Dr. Oltamu asks if he can take a picture of Tara. She sees that his phone is different from any other she's observed and, right after he snaps her photo and she locks the phone in her glove compartment at his request, he is killed by a car that rams into Tara's at full speed. Tara is knocked into the river, whereupon "her brain and her body parted ways".
Carlos Romeros, the driver of the rogue vehicle admits he is at fault and pleads guilty. He doesn't take his confession too seriously, however, because he has a passport and new identification. He plans to leave for Venezuela in the morning. The saying goes that 'We make plans and God laughs'. In this situation, it's a bit more dire because no one is laughing. Carlos is killed shortly after the accident and before the police can gather any vital information.
Tara, miraculously, has survived, but she has what is known as 'locked in syndrome', where she is aware of everything around her but is unable to move her body or communicate. Her family anxiously tends to her while considering whether there is any hope for Tara to be more than a vegetable in the future.
Meanwhile, two of the major players in this heart pounding thriller are about to come head to head. Abby Kaplan is a stunt racer who has left California after being involved in a stunt race that killed her lover. She has returned to Maine and is working for her surrogate father doing insurance investigation. She has difficulty driving a car because the traumatic memories of her boyfriend's death come racing into her consciousness. To help her forget, she drinks before she drives and recommends this as a good coping skill.
Dax looks like he can't be more than 18 but he is a mean, fit, psychopathic killing machine. He wants Oltamu's phone and believes that Abby and Tara hold the key to getting it. Dax is the son of two famous killers who were active during the troubles in Ireland. Wherever Dax goes, he leaves a line of aliases and a lot of dead bodies. Upon meeting him, he has a tendency to creep people out.
So what now? Stir together a dose of Tara, who is slowly becoming more able to communicate; Abby who is a sharp young lady despite her grief and drinking; Dax, perhaps the spawn of the devil; and all the secondary characters that are important to this book.
Koryta is a fine writer who is able to take his characters from the confines of a two-dimensional paper page, and make them real. Each of them comes to life for better or worse and, like in literary fiction, this book is character driven despite all the killings, deaths, and betrayals. I plan on reading all of Mr. Koryta's other books.
Carlos Romeros, the driver of the rogue vehicle admits he is at fault and pleads guilty. He doesn't take his confession too seriously, however, because he has a passport and new identification. He plans to leave for Venezuela in the morning. The saying goes that 'We make plans and God laughs'. In this situation, it's a bit more dire because no one is laughing. Carlos is killed shortly after the accident and before the police can gather any vital information.
Tara, miraculously, has survived, but she has what is known as 'locked in syndrome', where she is aware of everything around her but is unable to move her body or communicate. Her family anxiously tends to her while considering whether there is any hope for Tara to be more than a vegetable in the future.
Meanwhile, two of the major players in this heart pounding thriller are about to come head to head. Abby Kaplan is a stunt racer who has left California after being involved in a stunt race that killed her lover. She has returned to Maine and is working for her surrogate father doing insurance investigation. She has difficulty driving a car because the traumatic memories of her boyfriend's death come racing into her consciousness. To help her forget, she drinks before she drives and recommends this as a good coping skill.
Dax looks like he can't be more than 18 but he is a mean, fit, psychopathic killing machine. He wants Oltamu's phone and believes that Abby and Tara hold the key to getting it. Dax is the son of two famous killers who were active during the troubles in Ireland. Wherever Dax goes, he leaves a line of aliases and a lot of dead bodies. Upon meeting him, he has a tendency to creep people out.
So what now? Stir together a dose of Tara, who is slowly becoming more able to communicate; Abby who is a sharp young lady despite her grief and drinking; Dax, perhaps the spawn of the devil; and all the secondary characters that are important to this book.
Koryta is a fine writer who is able to take his characters from the confines of a two-dimensional paper page, and make them real. Each of them comes to life for better or worse and, like in literary fiction, this book is character driven despite all the killings, deaths, and betrayals. I plan on reading all of Mr. Koryta's other books.
May 7, 2019
This is a classic example of what happens when authors deviate from what they do best to fit into a box of what the reading audience is looking for at the moment. Unfortunately, Michael Koryta did this with his latest stand-alone novel "If She Wakes." As psychological thrillers seem to be the norm now-a-days doesn't mean every author can or needs to write one. Mr. Koryta's "Lincoln Perry" series is wonderful and he should just stick with what he does best. **Net Galley and the publisher provided me an advanced review copy for my honest review.**
July 18, 2019
What an interesting plot and it certainly kept my attention. Wish I could remember where the Blackwell family first surfaced, but resurrecting them by bringing in the son was an interesting move. Koryta has such a great writing style! I will continue to look forward to his books.
September 24, 2019
This is a highly original and brilliantly constructed novel which centres around two young women.
Tara Beckley, a senior student at a rural college who is seriously injured during a car accident which kills the visiting professor she’s been escorting. Tara’s body is totally paralysed, although her mind is still fully active; so-called “locked-in syndrome”.
Abby Kaplan, a former stunt driver, is working as an insurance investigator and looking into Tara’s case. She soon realises the car crash was no accident but, when she starts investigating further, finds both hers and Tara’s lives in danger from a creepy teenage hitman called Dax Blackwell. And, we later discover, that he has a rival too. Throughout the novel, we’re left wondering exactly why the professor was murdered and why two killers are desperate to obtain his cell-phone.
As to be expected, there are several thrilling actions scenes (culminating in a seat-of-the-pants finale on a railway bridge), but it’s the characterisations that really stand out. Some male writers have trouble creating one strong female protagonist. In this novel Michael Koryta has three: not just Tara and Abby, but, last but definitely not least, Tara’s older sister, Shannon.
Once again, the highly talented Mr. Koryta has managed to produce a novel which is a pleasure to read from beginning to end.
Tara Beckley, a senior student at a rural college who is seriously injured during a car accident which kills the visiting professor she’s been escorting. Tara’s body is totally paralysed, although her mind is still fully active; so-called “locked-in syndrome”.
Abby Kaplan, a former stunt driver, is working as an insurance investigator and looking into Tara’s case. She soon realises the car crash was no accident but, when she starts investigating further, finds both hers and Tara’s lives in danger from a creepy teenage hitman called Dax Blackwell. And, we later discover, that he has a rival too. Throughout the novel, we’re left wondering exactly why the professor was murdered and why two killers are desperate to obtain his cell-phone.
As to be expected, there are several thrilling actions scenes (culminating in a seat-of-the-pants finale on a railway bridge), but it’s the characterisations that really stand out. Some male writers have trouble creating one strong female protagonist. In this novel Michael Koryta has three: not just Tara and Abby, but, last but definitely not least, Tara’s older sister, Shannon.
Once again, the highly talented Mr. Koryta has managed to produce a novel which is a pleasure to read from beginning to end.
January 20, 2019
Thanks to Little, Brown & Co. for the digital review copy through Edelweiss.
I could not put this book down! I love all the strong female characters and I couldn't wait to read what happened with all of them. There is also a seriously creepy villain. I will definitely be acquiring this book for our library and recommending it to patrons and friends.
I could not put this book down! I love all the strong female characters and I couldn't wait to read what happened with all of them. There is also a seriously creepy villain. I will definitely be acquiring this book for our library and recommending it to patrons and friends.
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