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Maggie Novak #1
Don't Even Breathe
From the bestselling author of Crash comes a riveting thriller rife with murder, misdirection, and ghosts from the past.
Florida homicide detective Maggie Novak has seen hundreds of brutal murder cases, but when she is called out to investigate the charred remains of a young woman, in what appears to be a Halloween prank gone wrong, she is confronted with a twenty-year-old secret. The body is formally identified as that of school counselor Dana Cullen, but a distinguishing mark makes Maggie look again. She believes it is the body of her school friend Rita, who perished in a fire twenty years ago.
Maggie’s hunt for the truth behind the murder takes her back to a cruel high school trick she’s desperate to forget. And when another body turns up, Maggie realizes she too may be the target of a sinister plot creeping toward its final act.
Maggie needs emotional distance to do her job, but she’s so close to this case that she can’t even breathe. Will Maggie be able to uncover the truth of who wanted Rita dead? Or will her past mistakes catch up with her first?
Also available in the Maggie Novak Thriller
A PLACE CALLED FEAR
THE OTHER CHILD
HER ONLY REGRET
Florida homicide detective Maggie Novak has seen hundreds of brutal murder cases, but when she is called out to investigate the charred remains of a young woman, in what appears to be a Halloween prank gone wrong, she is confronted with a twenty-year-old secret. The body is formally identified as that of school counselor Dana Cullen, but a distinguishing mark makes Maggie look again. She believes it is the body of her school friend Rita, who perished in a fire twenty years ago.
Maggie’s hunt for the truth behind the murder takes her back to a cruel high school trick she’s desperate to forget. And when another body turns up, Maggie realizes she too may be the target of a sinister plot creeping toward its final act.
Maggie needs emotional distance to do her job, but she’s so close to this case that she can’t even breathe. Will Maggie be able to uncover the truth of who wanted Rita dead? Or will her past mistakes catch up with her first?
Also available in the Maggie Novak Thriller
A PLACE CALLED FEAR
THE OTHER CHILD
HER ONLY REGRET
301 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2019
6239 people are currently reading
4414 people want to read
About the author
Keith Houghton
21 books278 followersMILLION SELLING AUTHOR of the Kindle bestselling Gabe Quinn Thriller Series and the Maggie Novak Thrillers, including Kindle Store #1 books KILLING HOPE and DON'T EVEN BREATHE, as well as psychological standalone thrillers CRASH, NO COMING BACK and BEFORE YOU LEAP - roller-coaster reads with totally unexpected twists and turns - published by Thomas & Mercer.
More than ONE MILLION Crime Thrillers Sold.
100,000+ Audiobooks Sold on Amazon and Audible.
12,000+ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Five-Star Reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and Audible.
13 Kindle Store Number Ones and more than 140 individual category bestsellers.
Latest novel TOLEDO BEND is out NOW!
Visit keithhoughton.com and join his no-spam Murder Club list to qualify for exclusive reader competitions, such as free advance copies, signed paperbacks, and Your Name As A Character in a future novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 527 reviews
February 8, 2022
My rating: 2.5/5
After seeing the attention grabbing cover and title, Don’t Even Breathe, I thought I was in for a scary, spooky story, but this was not the case. I would better describe Don’t Even Breathe as a police procedural. Unfortunately, instead of keeping me on my toes, I found myself often bored while reading the lengthy inner dialog and felt the characters’ relationships were unnatural and forced. There were many mentions to events that happened years ago thrown in in a way that made the story feel jumbled. I had a hard time connecting to the book and ended up skimming scenes not pertinent to the plot.
I also found myself growing irritated that the police didn’t think of possibilities that seemed almost obvious early on. The ending was a little far-fetched for my liking and there was an overly long explanation at the end of the book that really was unnecessary, given that the climax was clear enough. It was not my favorite book, but every reader’s experience and tastes are different and what might not be for me, may be for you.
After seeing the attention grabbing cover and title, Don’t Even Breathe, I thought I was in for a scary, spooky story, but this was not the case. I would better describe Don’t Even Breathe as a police procedural. Unfortunately, instead of keeping me on my toes, I found myself often bored while reading the lengthy inner dialog and felt the characters’ relationships were unnatural and forced. There were many mentions to events that happened years ago thrown in in a way that made the story feel jumbled. I had a hard time connecting to the book and ended up skimming scenes not pertinent to the plot.
I also found myself growing irritated that the police didn’t think of possibilities that seemed almost obvious early on. The ending was a little far-fetched for my liking and there was an overly long explanation at the end of the book that really was unnecessary, given that the climax was clear enough. It was not my favorite book, but every reader’s experience and tastes are different and what might not be for me, may be for you.
March 13, 2019
Don’t Even Breathe is a pacy, addictive thriller with an intriguing mystery at the heart of it that draws you in immediately.
The prologue in which a murder is planned was enough to engage my reading senses then the author backs that up with a tense and beautifully plotted novel with little twists and turns leading you to a heart stopping finale.
Maggie is a great character and there is a well formed supporting cast with enough misdirection to keep you guessing. Past and present collide and you are hooked in first page to last.
A great crime read. I would not be disappointed if this were to be a series.
Recommended.
The prologue in which a murder is planned was enough to engage my reading senses then the author backs that up with a tense and beautifully plotted novel with little twists and turns leading you to a heart stopping finale.
Maggie is a great character and there is a well formed supporting cast with enough misdirection to keep you guessing. Past and present collide and you are hooked in first page to last.
A great crime read. I would not be disappointed if this were to be a series.
Recommended.
April 28, 2019
LINDY MUNSON MUST DIE
Long before she’d agreed to go on a date with him, Tyler had known he would kill Lindy Munson. One day. Somehow. Preferably slowly. For years, whenever Tyler had thought of the girl with the sallow complexion and the snow-white hair, he’d fantasized about doing something bad to her—probably from as far back as the sixth grade and the very first time she’d caught him studying her from across the school cafeteria.
Long-legged Lindy, with her teasing personality and her annoying popularity. A throat that was ripe for strangling. Back then, Tyler had meant nothing to her. Not even an irritation. Something less than human . He’d been invisible, her gaze penetrating right through him, as though he didn’t exist. It was a look of absolute indifference that had gobbled up every bit of his universe, until all that had remained was Lindy the Langolier eating into his brain.
Tyler couldn’t recall the exact moment he’d decided to kill the most popular girl in school. The cafeteria incident had been the first of many, with Lindy’s continued aloofness consuming him through the years.
What would it take to make her notice him? "
Tyler had asked himself this question countless times during the past four years of high school, usually when he was lying awake at night and visualizing all the ways he could make Lindy see him. He’d lost track of how many abduction scenarios he’d planned out in fine detail, and what he’d do to her once they were finally alone together.
********
Don't Even Breathe by Keith Houghton starts out loaded with suspence and continues to build to a breath holding, heart stopping, terrifying conclusion! I enjoyed the storyline, the characters, especially Florida homicide detective Maggie Novac, and the twists and unexpected events in in this book. This is a true psychological thriller!
This is my first experience with this author thanks to NetGalley and I'll be interested in reading more of his works.
With thanks to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer publishing, and Craig Houghton for this advanced digital copy for me to read and review.
Long before she’d agreed to go on a date with him, Tyler had known he would kill Lindy Munson. One day. Somehow. Preferably slowly. For years, whenever Tyler had thought of the girl with the sallow complexion and the snow-white hair, he’d fantasized about doing something bad to her—probably from as far back as the sixth grade and the very first time she’d caught him studying her from across the school cafeteria.
Long-legged Lindy, with her teasing personality and her annoying popularity. A throat that was ripe for strangling. Back then, Tyler had meant nothing to her. Not even an irritation. Something less than human . He’d been invisible, her gaze penetrating right through him, as though he didn’t exist. It was a look of absolute indifference that had gobbled up every bit of his universe, until all that had remained was Lindy the Langolier eating into his brain.
Tyler couldn’t recall the exact moment he’d decided to kill the most popular girl in school. The cafeteria incident had been the first of many, with Lindy’s continued aloofness consuming him through the years.
What would it take to make her notice him? "
Tyler had asked himself this question countless times during the past four years of high school, usually when he was lying awake at night and visualizing all the ways he could make Lindy see him. He’d lost track of how many abduction scenarios he’d planned out in fine detail, and what he’d do to her once they were finally alone together.
********
Don't Even Breathe by Keith Houghton starts out loaded with suspence and continues to build to a breath holding, heart stopping, terrifying conclusion! I enjoyed the storyline, the characters, especially Florida homicide detective Maggie Novac, and the twists and unexpected events in in this book. This is a true psychological thriller!
This is my first experience with this author thanks to NetGalley and I'll be interested in reading more of his works.
With thanks to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer publishing, and Craig Houghton for this advanced digital copy for me to read and review.
April 15, 2019
I didn't really know what to expect going into this, the first novel in the Maggie Novak series, but I was very impressed. There are surprises in every chapter and putting it down comes with great difficulty. Maggie is a likeable, affable protagonist who certainly knows her own mind and develops at her own pace. The plot is well constructed and complex but not overly so and the fast pace and clear, readable style will make this a hit with crime aficionados.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer for an ARC.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer for an ARC.
April 10, 2020
It was my first time reading this author and I thought he did a good job. It was a good old fashioned police detective book and it moved at a good pace. I thought he did a good job with the main a nd secondary characters. I thought the dialogue was good and that the story really never bogged down. I liked that we did not know who the bad person was or what the bad person was thinking for me when that happens it drags the whole book down. The ending was decent and made sense, I might have ended it differently but that is just me. I will read the next book in the series. I say go out and give this one a big spin
April 17, 2019
"The dead can't talk."
"You need to do it for them,Detective. They rely on you to shed light on their death, even if it takes you to some very dark places. You'll do good never to forget the dead bodies are still people, with family and friends and lives before they died. Let them speak through you."
This was a great mystery and one that definitely kept me flipping the pages. I couldn't figure out who done it and I kept chasing the same line as the MC Maggie, trying to get one step in front of the bad guy.
This would have been a solid 4 star book if it hadn't all been a bit too.....neat? There were just a huge whole string of coincidences that held the whole plot together and I just couldn't quite make the leap with the story like the Deathtectives did. I did enjoy Maggie and her struggle to be who she is now and try to make up for who she used to be. I liked the plot and it moved quickly. I'd definitely read more from this author.
"You need to do it for them,Detective. They rely on you to shed light on their death, even if it takes you to some very dark places. You'll do good never to forget the dead bodies are still people, with family and friends and lives before they died. Let them speak through you."
This was a great mystery and one that definitely kept me flipping the pages. I couldn't figure out who done it and I kept chasing the same line as the MC Maggie, trying to get one step in front of the bad guy.
This would have been a solid 4 star book if it hadn't all been a bit too.....neat? There were just a huge whole string of coincidences that held the whole plot together and I just couldn't quite make the leap with the story like the Deathtectives did. I did enjoy Maggie and her struggle to be who she is now and try to make up for who she used to be. I liked the plot and it moved quickly. I'd definitely read more from this author.
August 13, 2019
I was pleasantly surprised by this book - a good, but not pretentious thriller / police procedural that keeps up the pace and tension, but doesn't try to overdo itself. The protagonist was likeable, the motives of the characters somehow understandable and also - very important - characters seemed to provide some kind of surprise to the reader, without drastically changing their established personalities. I didn't guess what would happen until very near the ending, and, even though the last scene was a bit dramatic, it still seemed to make sense.
Looking forward to read more of this series.
Looking forward to read more of this series.
October 10, 2019
3.5 stars. The synopsis will tell you all you need to know about the actual story. I think this will be the first book in a new series, I'm hoping anyway. We are introduced to Detective Maggie Novak who is an experienced campaigner but is thrown a curve ball when she rocks up at a scene where she knows the victim. She thinks. Only problem is this woman supposedly died twenty years ago. It was a good police procedural with plenty of pace and good characters that show a lot of promise for future outings.
May 20, 2019
This was a rollercoaster book. It started slowly and I was mildly intrigued, then it picked up pace and I became more invested in it but then it ended up disappointing me at the improbable ending. Homicide Detective Maggie Novak was the central character and she was interesting so I may read another one in this series.
April 30, 2019
I had never read a book by this author until now, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out how engaging the story is. Maggie Novak is a detective in Florida in the area where she grew up. She and her partner were called out on a homicide where they discovered a burned beyond recognition body of a female. Her car was nowhere in sight. However, her purse with ID documents was recovered near the scene of the crime. The woman's name according to her ID was Dana Cullen, but Maggie recognizes her as her best friend from high school over 20 years before. The puzzling thing is that Rita, the woman's real name, was supposed to have died along with her whole family in a house fire about 17 years before. At first the powers that be suspect Dana's husband of her murder, and even hold him until they realize that the case is much more complicated than it appears on the surface. In high school, many years before, Maggie Novak, Rita Gragoryan and Kristen Falchuck were best friends. Until Kristen basically ostracized Rita, calling her a lesbian and bullying her in other ways. A motive appears to surface when the body identified as Dana Cullen is actually that of Kristin Falchuck. Apparently, Dana's husband and Kristen had been having an affair. One can see where this goes from there, but there are other added complications to the story such as Dana Cullen using a high school boy to help her in exchange for setting it up so he could murder a girl who had basically rejected him. I thought the book was very well written and enjoyed reading it very much. If you enjoy good mysteries, you won't go wrong with this one.
March 12, 2019
This book was brilliant from beginning to end! Lots of twists and turns. I am sure there will be another book to follow this one, certainly hope so.
July 19, 2019
Read for free via Amazon Prime. Sometimes you get what you pay for.
March 20, 2019
I don't know what it was, but this cover just drew me in. I found the main protagonist really likeable with her sassy attitude.
The writing was easy to read, it flowed well. I found myself just reading on without a second thought.
Great book, will be looking out for more.
Thanks to NetGalley, Keith Houghton and the publishers.
The writing was easy to read, it flowed well. I found myself just reading on without a second thought.
Great book, will be looking out for more.
Thanks to NetGalley, Keith Houghton and the publishers.
August 12, 2019
When it comes to murder-mystery crime novels, Don't Even Breathe by Keith Houghton is up there as one of the good ones.
This is a genre I'm always very wary of reading; when written well, murder mysteries can be haunting and grip at your mind. But, unfortunately, this genre is also stock piled with books that just aren't good. Every murder mystery I've ever read at some point in time falls into into the same-old same-old cliches... and this book is no exception to that.
Yes, I have admitted this novel does have its cliches,
Like the classic "I don't have time for a personal life, I'm all tunnel vision work-only" detective, the "The best friend was the killer the whole time???! trope, the epilogue/first chapter is the killer's thoughts, and the SUPER classic investigation-forces-detective-to-confront-her-past plot line.
And yes, these cliches definitely weigh down this novel
But, I will give the author credit still. For one, I was thoroughly entertained reading it, and as soon as Maggie found the "Leave me alone" note I definitely couldn't put the book down.
Maggie, the lead detective in the story, is definitely very....intense. But, her character is well balanced out with Nic and Loomis's light personalities that give the comedic relief.
One thing I loved about this book was the diversity. The cast wasn't cookie-cutter; it featured characters with vitiligo, characters born in South Africa, characters raised in New York streets, and all different sets of personalities: goth, preppy, intense, light, funny. The diverse set of characters brought so much life into this story, so many different backgrounds and specialties, I loved it.
Overall, I would recommend this story. As far as cliches, I have never read a murder mystery that didn't fall into them; and Keith definitely makes it up with fantastic characters and chair gripping fight scenes.
ARC provided by netgalley for review
This is a genre I'm always very wary of reading; when written well, murder mysteries can be haunting and grip at your mind. But, unfortunately, this genre is also stock piled with books that just aren't good. Every murder mystery I've ever read at some point in time falls into into the same-old same-old cliches... and this book is no exception to that.
Yes, I have admitted this novel does have its cliches,
Like the classic "I don't have time for a personal life, I'm all tunnel vision work-only" detective, the "The best friend was the killer the whole time???! trope, the epilogue/first chapter is the killer's thoughts, and the SUPER classic investigation-forces-detective-to-confront-her-past plot line.
And yes, these cliches definitely weigh down this novel
But, I will give the author credit still. For one, I was thoroughly entertained reading it, and as soon as Maggie found the "Leave me alone" note I definitely couldn't put the book down.
Maggie, the lead detective in the story, is definitely very....intense. But, her character is well balanced out with Nic and Loomis's light personalities that give the comedic relief.
One thing I loved about this book was the diversity. The cast wasn't cookie-cutter; it featured characters with vitiligo, characters born in South Africa, characters raised in New York streets, and all different sets of personalities: goth, preppy, intense, light, funny. The diverse set of characters brought so much life into this story, so many different backgrounds and specialties, I loved it.
Overall, I would recommend this story. As far as cliches, I have never read a murder mystery that didn't fall into them; and Keith definitely makes it up with fantastic characters and chair gripping fight scenes.
ARC provided by netgalley for review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2019
Whoa! 5 stars for this one that really had me floored.
Nothing like a brilliant thriller with spine-chilling events!
There's nothing like a detective with shadowy past and a point to prove. Maggie Novak is one kick-ass detective! All characters in this book are so damn interesting, I couldn't keep this one down!
It has all the salient points of a solid good thriller:
Murder, check.
Nail-biting suspense, check.
An extraordinary detective, check.
A remarkable partner, check.
A good mix of freaky & adorable characters, check
A well-written, twisted plot, check.
A you-didn't-see-it-coming ending, check!
I eagerly look forward to more of Ms Novak. Hands down one of the best I've picked from Netgalley. This book has definitely piqued my interest in Keith Houghton's other books and sure as hell I'll be reading them as soon as I can get my hands on them. I'm very happy I picked this up. Very unique of the book to have chapter headings!
Thanks to Netgalley, Keith Houghton & the publishers for an arc.
Nothing like a brilliant thriller with spine-chilling events!
There's nothing like a detective with shadowy past and a point to prove. Maggie Novak is one kick-ass detective! All characters in this book are so damn interesting, I couldn't keep this one down!
It has all the salient points of a solid good thriller:
Murder, check.
Nail-biting suspense, check.
An extraordinary detective, check.
A remarkable partner, check.
A good mix of freaky & adorable characters, check
A well-written, twisted plot, check.
A you-didn't-see-it-coming ending, check!
I eagerly look forward to more of Ms Novak. Hands down one of the best I've picked from Netgalley. This book has definitely piqued my interest in Keith Houghton's other books and sure as hell I'll be reading them as soon as I can get my hands on them. I'm very happy I picked this up. Very unique of the book to have chapter headings!
Thanks to Netgalley, Keith Houghton & the publishers for an arc.
June 12, 2019
From the first page to the last is non-stop action. A really good thriller.
January 2, 2022
This book was right up my street. I was engrossed from the very start an couldn’t put it down. I could never predict what was going to happen or what way the plot was going which is a good thing as it keeps you wanting more. Having said that the ending was a bit of a let down. I was really expecting a great ending with plot twists I hadn’t even thought of not your average plot ending that you have read before. It had the potential to be great. On another note loved this authors style of writing an I would definitely read more from this author. Still a good read but just a let down when it came to the ending...
March 13, 2019
A suspenseful mystery full of twists. The characters are well developed. The plot is intriguing. Just when you think you have it solved, you're wrong. This is a good start to a new series. I can't wait to see how things develop.
March 15, 2019
I loved the detail and well developed characters. The story does make you realize how a high school prank can affect an entire army of people. I did see the end coming but did not want to put the book down!
March 29, 2023
Two-haiku review:
Woman found murdered
Looks just like cop's childhood friend
Who died in house fire
Thrilling mystery
Liked Maggie the detective
Surprising ending
Woman found murdered
Looks just like cop's childhood friend
Who died in house fire
Thrilling mystery
Liked Maggie the detective
Surprising ending
October 10, 2019
The prologue was enough to draw me into this book. The early intrigue captured my attention and there was never a disappointing moment. It's an all-round excellent police procedural that has a lot of depth to it. Having read other Houghton novels I never know what to expect. I know they're all twisty but some are less good than others. If you've read CRASH and didn't enjoy it, as I didn't, don't let it put you off this book. It's in a different class and has left me eagerly awaiting book 2.
March 13, 2019
With a multitude of twists and turns DON'T EVEN BREATHE by Keith Houghton is a #thriller whose unrelenting action will keep you reading long into the night.
Main character, Maggie Novak is such a believable character that is perfectly relatable. She may be an elite homicide detective, or "deathtective," as she calls herself, but she is also a person with a past. Maggie knows she has done terrible things and she wishes she could go back and change them, but she knows she can't.
Maggie has a man in her life, but she keeps it casual. He is a cute, surfer whose day job is working in the mental health field. He has a dog and I love that the dog's name is Spartacus.
When Maggie's worst high school memory is brought to light, she has to not only find a murderer, but must also face up to what she did back then.
This story proves that high school may be long over, but often, the memories affect the rest of a person's life.
I rate DON'T EVEN BREATHE as 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐ and am thrilled to have found a writer whose work I was unfamiliar with until now. I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of his novels.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book.
To #read more of my #reviews or to enter to #win #giveaways visit my #blog at the #linkinmybio or go to http://Amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com
Main character, Maggie Novak is such a believable character that is perfectly relatable. She may be an elite homicide detective, or "deathtective," as she calls herself, but she is also a person with a past. Maggie knows she has done terrible things and she wishes she could go back and change them, but she knows she can't.
Maggie has a man in her life, but she keeps it casual. He is a cute, surfer whose day job is working in the mental health field. He has a dog and I love that the dog's name is Spartacus.
When Maggie's worst high school memory is brought to light, she has to not only find a murderer, but must also face up to what she did back then.
This story proves that high school may be long over, but often, the memories affect the rest of a person's life.
I rate DON'T EVEN BREATHE as 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐ and am thrilled to have found a writer whose work I was unfamiliar with until now. I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of his novels.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book.
To #read more of my #reviews or to enter to #win #giveaways visit my #blog at the #linkinmybio or go to http://Amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com
March 19, 2019
A relatively decent police-procedural by Keith Houghton. The prologue is gripping and succinctly draws the reader in from line one. However, the pace of plot slows dramatically going into the first few chapters as more focus is placed on detailing police work and internal dialog. The characters are decently developed but lack a natural cohesion with one another. It feels as if the character’s description versus their actual portrayal is in conflict with one another. In addition, veteran readers of this genre may find Houghton’s foreshadowing presumptuous, leading to an easy depiction of the plot twist. Overall an okay read. 3 stars.
Thank you to #NetGalley for this ARC of #DontEvenBreathe in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to #NetGalley for this ARC of #DontEvenBreathe in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2019
Very good suspense book with a few good twists. Ending was a definite surprise. At times some of the book had to be skimmed because of all the typical police who did what but it didn’t take away from the story Good characters and plot. Would definitely recommend. Thank you netgalley for letting me give an honest review of this book.
January 15, 2021
Listened to this a second time tonight at work, as I run through my Audible library. Forgot this one, but as soon as it started, I thought, oh yeah, /this/.
The premise was straight-up dumb. I usually wouldn't just be so blunt, but... I don't want to waste any more of my time on this stinker. The writing was awkward. There was a lot of nibbling going on, but not a lot of character development, or any kind of well thought out plotting...
Spoilers: The detective has a shameful secret! As a stupid, selfish teenager, under the influence of a more glamorous friend, she bullied her old best friend, eventually outing her in front of a huge group of her peers. They threw eggs at her and called her a dyke. The protagonist didn't know they'd be there, only bring halfway in on the prank. She immediately felt guilty, but two days later, the girl's house burns down and she and her family all die. The protagonist never gets over what she did and she is wracked with guilt even 20 years later.
But then we learn that she didn't die! Her dad was in trouble with the mob and they went into witness protection.
And then, cut to the present, she fakes her death a second time, killing the glamorous friend from high school and making it look like her. Said victim was having an affair with her husband. So in the end, the whole homophobia/bullying thing was totally irrelevant, only serving to paint the protagonist as a self-absorbed "not like other girls" who thinks the world revolves around her.
What an utter waste of time.
I liked the pathologist, though. And the anecdote about the 500lb guy who got shot with a machine gun without a single organ being penetrated. That was the most interesting part, and it stuck in my memory. So, a second star for that.
The premise was straight-up dumb. I usually wouldn't just be so blunt, but... I don't want to waste any more of my time on this stinker. The writing was awkward. There was a lot of nibbling going on, but not a lot of character development, or any kind of well thought out plotting...
Spoilers: The detective has a shameful secret! As a stupid, selfish teenager, under the influence of a more glamorous friend, she bullied her old best friend, eventually outing her in front of a huge group of her peers. They threw eggs at her and called her a dyke. The protagonist didn't know they'd be there, only bring halfway in on the prank. She immediately felt guilty, but two days later, the girl's house burns down and she and her family all die. The protagonist never gets over what she did and she is wracked with guilt even 20 years later.
But then we learn that she didn't die! Her dad was in trouble with the mob and they went into witness protection.
And then, cut to the present, she fakes her death a second time, killing the glamorous friend from high school and making it look like her. Said victim was having an affair with her husband. So in the end, the whole homophobia/bullying thing was totally irrelevant, only serving to paint the protagonist as a self-absorbed "not like other girls" who thinks the world revolves around her.
What an utter waste of time.
I liked the pathologist, though. And the anecdote about the 500lb guy who got shot with a machine gun without a single organ being penetrated. That was the most interesting part, and it stuck in my memory. So, a second star for that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2019
I absolutely loved reading "Don't Even Breathe!" This book had it all, for me. It had a complex and intelligent plot, memorable characters, believable and logical dialogue and a hugely fulfilling and satisfying conclusion. I am so delighted that I have discovered another favourite author!
Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my own request from the publisher via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my own request from the publisher via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
October 15, 2019
I'm kind of bummed because with the cover and the title I thought this was going to be a thriller if not out and out horror. It wasn't even thrilling though, which basically makes it a police procedural. It was good as far as those go, so it's fine, but it's not my cup of tea.
July 13, 2019
Elevator pitch:
The past you try to leave behind will take you down.
What I liked:
Plot! I repeat it: the plot. It is refreshing to read a thriller that leans heavily on its narrative construct and delivers a real puzzle. The first two chapters offer a seemingly unsolvable mystery, and watching how logically it all comes together is gratifying. A lot of thrillers these days rely too much on the psychological struggle of the protagonist and forsake the story.
Don't even Breathe delves into the guilt and shame of the very sympathetic Homicide detective Maggie Novak, without forgetting to build a fictional case, not relying solely on the troubles of the hero. Maggie Novak is a straight arrow, competent, and determined, The return of a capable female lead. Hooray!
The beginning of Don't even Breathe is the gripping part, the story tapers a bit towards the wrap-up, but the last action scene has enough tension and evil characters loaded with malice to slide in between the goalpost ( I guess I still have football on the brain).
What it is about:
Homicide detective Maggie Novak and her partner get called to a crime scene, where they find the charred remains of a female. Soon Maggie discovers these belong of her former best friend in high school. The problem: Rita died in a fire twenty years ago. And how come a budding psychopath and the most popular girl in school, he intended to kill, were the ones that discovered this body?
The past you try to leave behind will take you down.
What I liked:
Plot! I repeat it: the plot. It is refreshing to read a thriller that leans heavily on its narrative construct and delivers a real puzzle. The first two chapters offer a seemingly unsolvable mystery, and watching how logically it all comes together is gratifying. A lot of thrillers these days rely too much on the psychological struggle of the protagonist and forsake the story.
Don't even Breathe delves into the guilt and shame of the very sympathetic Homicide detective Maggie Novak, without forgetting to build a fictional case, not relying solely on the troubles of the hero. Maggie Novak is a straight arrow, competent, and determined, The return of a capable female lead. Hooray!
The beginning of Don't even Breathe is the gripping part, the story tapers a bit towards the wrap-up, but the last action scene has enough tension and evil characters loaded with malice to slide in between the goalpost ( I guess I still have football on the brain).
What it is about:
Homicide detective Maggie Novak and her partner get called to a crime scene, where they find the charred remains of a female. Soon Maggie discovers these belong of her former best friend in high school. The problem: Rita died in a fire twenty years ago. And how come a budding psychopath and the most popular girl in school, he intended to kill, were the ones that discovered this body?
October 6, 2019
Don't even start this one is you have engagements because you can't put it down. Read it in a day and a half and had I started earlier in the day, I would have read it in one day. I barely had time to do laundry or cooking! Shame on Keith Houghton for enticing me into this fabulously intriguing mystery. How in the world did your mind think of all these avenues to send us on in our minds, trying to figure out the three W's, who, what and why? And he threw in little innuendos I believe, to throw me off, but I won't say more to spoil the ending. I will be reading everything I find now written by Keith Houghton.
November 5, 2019
oh my word what a brilliant book...
could not put it down....
maggie novak is a detective in florida, she is called to a scene where a dead body is discovered...by two youths...theres a mystery behind those two but the dead body shocks maggie....she identifies the body as her long lost school friend...but this long lost school friend died in a fire with her family 20 odd years ago and maggie grieved for her hard...
and so the story begins and what a story, it will keep you hooked and wonder why you have never heard of this author before...
thanks mother for buying this book for me for my birthday,i now have another author to add to my list of authors to keep a look out for
could not put it down....
maggie novak is a detective in florida, she is called to a scene where a dead body is discovered...by two youths...theres a mystery behind those two but the dead body shocks maggie....she identifies the body as her long lost school friend...but this long lost school friend died in a fire with her family 20 odd years ago and maggie grieved for her hard...
and so the story begins and what a story, it will keep you hooked and wonder why you have never heard of this author before...
thanks mother for buying this book for me for my birthday,i now have another author to add to my list of authors to keep a look out for
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