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COMPLETION
A bold new voice in thrillers, TV Producer Andréa Fehsenfeld weaves secrets, lies and the dark pasts of three strangers into a Southwest supernatural classic.
On the surface, accountant Damien Hester is quiet and capable, a genius with numbers. No one knows his secrets or how they fuel his addiction to flame and fire. But when he ignites something beyond his control, his carefully constructed world comes crashing down and the consequences are far reaching.
Now on the run, his path takes an unexpected turn in New Mexico and he finds himself on a mysterious cult compound. But where nothing and no one is what it seems can he trust Addy, a beautiful follower with a corrupt past, or Garrett, the enigmatic cult leader who takes him under his wing?
Because Damien’s not the only one running from something…and as murky agendas start to unravel and broken histories demand completion, the fallout is an explosive tipping point none of them anticipate.
On the surface, accountant Damien Hester is quiet and capable, a genius with numbers. No one knows his secrets or how they fuel his addiction to flame and fire. But when he ignites something beyond his control, his carefully constructed world comes crashing down and the consequences are far reaching.
Now on the run, his path takes an unexpected turn in New Mexico and he finds himself on a mysterious cult compound. But where nothing and no one is what it seems can he trust Addy, a beautiful follower with a corrupt past, or Garrett, the enigmatic cult leader who takes him under his wing?
Because Damien’s not the only one running from something…and as murky agendas start to unravel and broken histories demand completion, the fallout is an explosive tipping point none of them anticipate.
324 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2018
9 people are currently reading
558 people want to read
About the author
Andréa Fehsenfeld
2 books41 followersI write contemporary fiction, wild at heart.™️
If you love vivid characters, tangled relationships, and the kind of plot twists you never see coming, you're in the right place.
My genre-bending work has been recognized by NPR, SIRIUS XM, Publisher’s Weekly, Writer’s Digest, the CBC, The Writers’ Union of Canada, and the IPB Awards.
My long-awaited third noel publishes winter 2026.
For insider access to writing updates, exclusive ARCs, and more, connect here: https://andreafehsenfeld.com/private-...
If you love vivid characters, tangled relationships, and the kind of plot twists you never see coming, you're in the right place.
My genre-bending work has been recognized by NPR, SIRIUS XM, Publisher’s Weekly, Writer’s Digest, the CBC, The Writers’ Union of Canada, and the IPB Awards.
My long-awaited third noel publishes winter 2026.
For insider access to writing updates, exclusive ARCs, and more, connect here: https://andreafehsenfeld.com/private-...
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 28, 2018
This book left me speechless. It’s a book about trauma, love, healing, and so much more that I can’t find the words for without giving away any spoilers. The way the author understand and helps the reader understand cult culture is pretty impressive. The ending was really surprising and my favorite part of the book.
*****
I read a few grammatical errors, errors in the Spanish gender nouns, and a sentence in Spanish that made no sense at all.
Being a native Spanish speaker, this bothered me. To the author: with all due respect, please have a native Spanish speaker proof read your Spanish writings.
*****
I read a few grammatical errors, errors in the Spanish gender nouns, and a sentence in Spanish that made no sense at all.
Being a native Spanish speaker, this bothered me. To the author: with all due respect, please have a native Spanish speaker proof read your Spanish writings.
June 14, 2018
I appreciate the author's insight into her knowledge of cult life. From what I have read I several books about cult life; it is a very scary lifestyle. It is easy to see how people can get caught up and before they know it trying to find themselves getting out.
This book started out fine. Damien did seem like a lost soul. I was feeling for him. However, this feeling did not last long. The same went towards Addy as well. She didn't peak my interest to get to know her well. The outcome was lacking for me. Which in turn made reading this book a struggle. The lack of character engagement brought the story down as well. This is sad as I do feel like there Is something there; it just didn't resonate with me. However I am in the minority so try this book out for yourself.
This book started out fine. Damien did seem like a lost soul. I was feeling for him. However, this feeling did not last long. The same went towards Addy as well. She didn't peak my interest to get to know her well. The outcome was lacking for me. Which in turn made reading this book a struggle. The lack of character engagement brought the story down as well. This is sad as I do feel like there Is something there; it just didn't resonate with me. However I am in the minority so try this book out for yourself.
May 9, 2018
We are introduced to Damien and immediately learn about his love for fire. In an attempt to outrun the law in California, he sets out on a road trip with the ultimate goal of reaching South America. After a series of unfortunate events in New Mexico, he ends up on a large compound—later determined to be a location of a mysterious cult. Garrett, the leader of the cult, has a dark past and a lot of money. I had a love/hate relationship with Damien. It was painfully slow to find out more about his past, what set off his pyromanic ways, and what was the life he left behind in California. Other times I was rooting for his success at the compound and hoping he would be able to escape. Along the way we are introduced to many cult followers, mostly Native Americans. I think that the characters were well developed, just fell short when it came to linking their stories together. There were also a few plot twists and tangents that led to confusion. Overall, the ending had a decent and believable solution. I would be interested in reading more about the one character, who without spoiling anything, has something left to say at the end.
May 29, 2018
The book is a good dark tale and is a good read for mature readers. The story has twists and turns that has the reader surprised. The characters are well written, and engaging. The author has good foreshadowed events, and gave not so blatant cues to Damien's inner turmoil.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 11, 2018
I became interested in this book after reading the summary and then realizing that the author was a television screenwriter. I thought that Fehsenfeld would have a knack for storytelling, suspense and character development since she wrote for TV, and I was not let down. I was hooked after reading just the introduction.
The plot outline--Damien fleeing his life, road trip through desolate places, strange cult--provides enough material for a host of crazy characters, strange events and surprising twists and turns. When he's caught up in a compound and can't get away, we really start to feel for him and understand what the sub-plot is all about.
The introduction is true...the story is not what you expect and nothing is as it seems at first. She does a good job of revealing important information at a pace that keeps us wanting to read (although a little faster would be nice) and I enjoyed the cult pieces, because I've always found cults fascinating.
Along the way, we must wait to learn whether Damien escapes the trouble he's fleeing, whether he makes it to South America, whether the cult believes he is what they have been waiting for, or whether they will let him go (or whether he will escape). It was an interesting read and a satisfying wrap-up.
The plot outline--Damien fleeing his life, road trip through desolate places, strange cult--provides enough material for a host of crazy characters, strange events and surprising twists and turns. When he's caught up in a compound and can't get away, we really start to feel for him and understand what the sub-plot is all about.
The introduction is true...the story is not what you expect and nothing is as it seems at first. She does a good job of revealing important information at a pace that keeps us wanting to read (although a little faster would be nice) and I enjoyed the cult pieces, because I've always found cults fascinating.
Along the way, we must wait to learn whether Damien escapes the trouble he's fleeing, whether he makes it to South America, whether the cult believes he is what they have been waiting for, or whether they will let him go (or whether he will escape). It was an interesting read and a satisfying wrap-up.
May 15, 2018
It's rare to find new books these days that have the level of originality and writing craft exemplified by this offering from Fehsenfeld. I found myself completely hooked from the start, as the story unfolds in bolts and nuts, coming together in fragmented pieces until - as the title suggests - the tale and Damien (our protagonist) find completion.
Damien is an unusual hero. He's had a difficult and violent upbringing, and his only solace is a very illegal and very dangerous hobby. Scared of something that the reader does not quite understand, Damien finds himself stranded and alone until he is rescued by a rogue group of Native Americans lead by a white man with "powers". What exactly these abilities are, and whether they are a blessing or a vicious curse, is a question that Fehsenfeld keeps you asking all the way until the very end of her novel. Narration also switches every so often to Addy's voice. She is also a part of the group, and is cunning, wily, and manipulative...and quite possibly insane. Or is she the most clear-minded of them all?
Fehsenfeld weaves a creative story of loss, coping, mystery, and suspense in Completion. I highly recommend!
Damien is an unusual hero. He's had a difficult and violent upbringing, and his only solace is a very illegal and very dangerous hobby. Scared of something that the reader does not quite understand, Damien finds himself stranded and alone until he is rescued by a rogue group of Native Americans lead by a white man with "powers". What exactly these abilities are, and whether they are a blessing or a vicious curse, is a question that Fehsenfeld keeps you asking all the way until the very end of her novel. Narration also switches every so often to Addy's voice. She is also a part of the group, and is cunning, wily, and manipulative...and quite possibly insane. Or is she the most clear-minded of them all?
Fehsenfeld weaves a creative story of loss, coping, mystery, and suspense in Completion. I highly recommend!
May 11, 2018
This was a exciting read. Andréa Fehsenfeld is a great storyteller. The plot twist and turns had you sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to read what would happen next. As story lines goes this one was imaginative, creative and magical. It’s about Damien who has a unique fascination with fire. Trouble has started and he needs to leave California. So he starts on this journey to Mexico but meets many variations of people along the way. Some truly evil who have beaten him down and taken away all that he holds dear to him. Beaten him down in not only physical ways but mentally too. How he survives and tries to escapes is what turns the pages. What I liked about this book is the many different kind of cult followers that each has their own story. There could be many spin offs from these different folks and their own backstories. I also liked how you have to form your own opinion of Damien. How his character or personality changes as the story goes. This is a dark tale and I would recommend it for more mature readers. The descriptions alone will send chills up your spine.
November 8, 2019
That was......... something.
I should probably stop expecting things when it comes to reading books because I never get what I wanted out of them, but even if I had been expecting something like this I would never give it a good review. The story is a mess. It implied some things about sexuality, mental illness, trauma, and religion that just sat really wrong with me.
Official rating is 1.5 stars because I guess the writing was decent? In a few places? I know who I was supposed to root for, I just couldn’t make myself care, especially with the use of trauma and religion as motives for some of the turn arounds in behavior. I’m definitely not going to reread it or recommend it to anyone. In fact, I talked a lot of shit in group chats while I was reading it.
I should probably stop expecting things when it comes to reading books because I never get what I wanted out of them, but even if I had been expecting something like this I would never give it a good review. The story is a mess. It implied some things about sexuality, mental illness, trauma, and religion that just sat really wrong with me.
Official rating is 1.5 stars because I guess the writing was decent? In a few places? I know who I was supposed to root for, I just couldn’t make myself care, especially with the use of trauma and religion as motives for some of the turn arounds in behavior. I’m definitely not going to reread it or recommend it to anyone. In fact, I talked a lot of shit in group chats while I was reading it.
May 9, 2018
What an incredible book! It is riveting from the beginning and sucks the reader right in to the drama. The book is fast paced and the language is easy to understand. I would highly recommend this book for more mature adults due to language, brutality, and content. The story seems pretty nonchalant and normal at the beginning, but takes many twists and turns once Damien reached the community. Never in my thoughts did I anticipate the ending to be so intriguing. This author definitely knows how to make a reader want more. I would be very interested to see more books like this and to even explore the current characters in more depth. This book is quite the paranormal psychological thrill ride!
June 11, 2018
This book had me hooked at the first tumbleweed. Damien is a lost soul that you could really see needing a connection with someone and you desperately want him to connect with someone. Garrett, being that connection, is a mystery right but you will want to keep reading to find out a little bit more about him. The other characters were fantastic additions to the story. Addy was definitely one of my favorites.
I think the best character of them all though was the landscape. The way the author described it made me feel like I was in the desert myself. I can't wait for more books from this author!
I think the best character of them all though was the landscape. The way the author described it made me feel like I was in the desert myself. I can't wait for more books from this author!
May 1, 2018
Not a bad book. You start with a pyromaniac and throw him in a cult in the middle of no-where and you get an interesting plot. I will say I had a hard time connecting with the main character, Damien, because the author doesn't offer up much of his backstory til around chapter 10-ish. There were quite a few interesting characters along the way though. Like the very large gas station attendant who throws herself at Damien (That was creepy). If nothing else these crazy one scene characters created by the author were enough to keep me interested.
January 22, 2020
Very good read!
In the beginning, I really could not see where Damien was going with all his troubles and it slowed me down. I actually put the read away and did not go back to until a few days ago. Once I sat down and got into reading, it clicked, then I couldn't stop til I finished it. Definitely held my attention and the characters of Damien, Garrett and Addy carried the story to the end, with more twists and turns than I would have imagined. Lots of struggles, resignations and volatile exchanges brought an ending that was surprising!
In the beginning, I really could not see where Damien was going with all his troubles and it slowed me down. I actually put the read away and did not go back to until a few days ago. Once I sat down and got into reading, it clicked, then I couldn't stop til I finished it. Definitely held my attention and the characters of Damien, Garrett and Addy carried the story to the end, with more twists and turns than I would have imagined. Lots of struggles, resignations and volatile exchanges brought an ending that was surprising!
June 12, 2018
I loved the path this book took. I was rushing to finish it to find out how it would end! It took turns I didn't expect and was intrigued to follow. The author is a great storyteller and really kept things moving while taking the time to include great character and story development. I really enjoyed this book and easily recommend it.
July 3, 2018
He works hard drawing the day and a frustrated at night. He has been very careful and has not got the law on his tail. Until he lights something and his life comes crashing down. What did he do to start this? Find out by following his story
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 19, 2018
I received this for a honest review it was a very interesting read I really enjoyed it and the insight the author had about everything well developed characters and story
March 2, 2019
Wow! What a unique book. A definite page-turner with a good writing style. Definitely recommend.
December 20, 2020
Be ready for a long night because you won’t want to put this book down!!! Highly recommended.
October 4, 2019
I really liked the way the characters developed and the voices the author gave them. Especially Addy. And I liked the pacing of the story. No dull moments.
Looking forward to the next one!
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May 2, 2018Release date April 25th, 2018.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews