What do you think?
Rate this book
Keep You Close
THE HEART-POUNDING NEW THRILLER FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF NEED TO KNOW
A strange sensation runs through me, a feeling that I don't know this person in front of me, even though he matters more to me than anyone ever has, than anyone ever will.
You go into your son's bedroom. It's the usual mess. You tidy up some dirty plates, pick up some clothes, open the wardrobe to put them away.
That's when you find it.
And you realize a horrifying truth...
Your own son might be dangerous.
Keep You Close is the chilling, relentless new thriller from the bestselling author of Need to Know.
A strange sensation runs through me, a feeling that I don't know this person in front of me, even though he matters more to me than anyone ever has, than anyone ever will.
You go into your son's bedroom. It's the usual mess. You tidy up some dirty plates, pick up some clothes, open the wardrobe to put them away.
That's when you find it.
And you realize a horrifying truth...
Your own son might be dangerous.
Keep You Close is the chilling, relentless new thriller from the bestselling author of Need to Know.
400 pages, Paperback
First published May 28, 2019
348 people are currently reading
9603 people want to read
About the author
Karen Cleveland
4 books1,679 followersKaren Cleveland spent eight years as a CIA analyst, the last six in counterterrorism. She has master’s degrees from Trinity College Dublin, where she studied as a Fulbright Scholar, and from Harvard University. She lives in northern Virginia with her husband and two young kids.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 962 reviews
May 25, 2019
3.5*
Stephanie is a special agent with the FBI and the single mother of a seventeen year old son. A son who SHE is having trouble recognizing lately. Less communicative, more sullen. Is it just typical teenage behavior? Or is he hiding something.
Well that question is quickly answered when she finds a gun hidden in the back of his closet! Why would her teenage son have a gun? What is he involved in?
Stephanie is going to do whatever it takes to protect her son. Even if it costs her her career...or maybe more.
This book started off with a bang I was instantly drawn in, loving Stephanie’s character and that of her son Zachary. But about half way it turned into full on espionage and conspiracy theories.
Just a bit too far fetched for me.
If you enjoy espionage mixed with a splash of family drama then this might be a good pick for you!
A buddy read with Susanne!🌸
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group Ballantine and Karen Cleveland for an ARC to read and review.
Stephanie is a special agent with the FBI and the single mother of a seventeen year old son. A son who SHE is having trouble recognizing lately. Less communicative, more sullen. Is it just typical teenage behavior? Or is he hiding something.
Well that question is quickly answered when she finds a gun hidden in the back of his closet! Why would her teenage son have a gun? What is he involved in?
Stephanie is going to do whatever it takes to protect her son. Even if it costs her her career...or maybe more.
This book started off with a bang I was instantly drawn in, loving Stephanie’s character and that of her son Zachary. But about half way it turned into full on espionage and conspiracy theories.
Just a bit too far fetched for me.
If you enjoy espionage mixed with a splash of family drama then this might be a good pick for you!
A buddy read with Susanne!🌸
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group Ballantine and Karen Cleveland for an ARC to read and review.
May 1, 2019
3.5 Stars* (rounded down)
A Fast Moving Mystery / Suspense!
FBI Agent Steph Maddox hears a knock at the door. Another agent appears. He accuses her son Zachary of being a part a domestic terrorist group. Her first reaction is that he is being framed. Of course, everyone always say that, she would know - after all, she works in Internal Affairs.
Forget the fact that moments earlier, Steph found a loaded gun hidden in Zachary’s closet in a nondescript paper bag. Even though they pass like ships in the night.. Steph knows her son.
Lives are at stake. The problem of course, is determining whose.
“Keep you Close” moves at breakneck speed. It is extremely suspenseful and it started out quite strong. While I enjoyed this mystery, I didn’t quite love it as I felt like the author threw in a few too many curveballs for me to catch.
This is a follow up to Karen Cleveland’s “Need to Know” and it’s clear based on both books what a fabulously strong writer the author is. I am definitely a fan and can’t wait to see what she comes out with next.
This was a buddy read with Ms. Kaceey! So glad we got read this one together.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House - Ballantine and Karen Cleveland for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 4.30.19.
Will be published on Amazon on 4.28.19
A Fast Moving Mystery / Suspense!
FBI Agent Steph Maddox hears a knock at the door. Another agent appears. He accuses her son Zachary of being a part a domestic terrorist group. Her first reaction is that he is being framed. Of course, everyone always say that, she would know - after all, she works in Internal Affairs.
Forget the fact that moments earlier, Steph found a loaded gun hidden in Zachary’s closet in a nondescript paper bag. Even though they pass like ships in the night.. Steph knows her son.
Lives are at stake. The problem of course, is determining whose.
“Keep you Close” moves at breakneck speed. It is extremely suspenseful and it started out quite strong. While I enjoyed this mystery, I didn’t quite love it as I felt like the author threw in a few too many curveballs for me to catch.
This is a follow up to Karen Cleveland’s “Need to Know” and it’s clear based on both books what a fabulously strong writer the author is. I am definitely a fan and can’t wait to see what she comes out with next.
This was a buddy read with Ms. Kaceey! So glad we got read this one together.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House - Ballantine and Karen Cleveland for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 4.30.19.
Will be published on Amazon on 4.28.19
May 9, 2019
3.5 Stars
Karen Cleveland's 2018 debut, Need To Know was one of my top reads last year and I was eager to read her second book.
The fast pace/action and suspense are back, but I felt the story lacked the character development and intrigue and overall "cleverness" that was created in her debut.
FBI Agent Stephanie Maddox is at the heart of the story as she tries to unravel a domestic anarchist groups involvement in a web of lies that could hurt her son, Zachary. She struggles to search for the truth and keep her Zachary safe. These characters weren't developed enough for me to really become invested in the outcome.
The "action" is definitely what drives this novel so action fans will enjoy. I just needed to feel more for the characters and the timeline felt too jumpy. The reveal was definitely a surprise.
Fans of conspiracy theories and a plot of non-stop action may find this one more of a winner than I did.
Out May 28,2019 Thanks Doubleday / NG for my copy.
Karen Cleveland's 2018 debut, Need To Know was one of my top reads last year and I was eager to read her second book.
The fast pace/action and suspense are back, but I felt the story lacked the character development and intrigue and overall "cleverness" that was created in her debut.
FBI Agent Stephanie Maddox is at the heart of the story as she tries to unravel a domestic anarchist groups involvement in a web of lies that could hurt her son, Zachary. She struggles to search for the truth and keep her Zachary safe. These characters weren't developed enough for me to really become invested in the outcome.
The "action" is definitely what drives this novel so action fans will enjoy. I just needed to feel more for the characters and the timeline felt too jumpy. The reveal was definitely a surprise.
Fans of conspiracy theories and a plot of non-stop action may find this one more of a winner than I did.
Out May 28,2019 Thanks Doubleday / NG for my copy.
June 11, 2019
Keep You Close by Karen Cleveland is a thriller that tackles the question of just how far one would go for someone they love. Stephanie Maddox is an special agent with FBI and has spent years and years working to get where she is in her career but would she throw it all away for the love of her life, her son Zachary?
Stephanie is a single mother and has done her best keeping her relationship with her son a priority despite her high pressure job. Even though Zachary has hit his sullen and angsty teenage years Stephanie still tries to keep communication open between them but one day while cleaning she finds a gun in her son's room.
Stephanie believes there has to be an explanation for what she's found but before a blink of an eye she finds her son being accused of so much more. Trying to stay one step ahead of the investigation Stephanie is determined to find out what is going on and prove her son is innocent
Keep You Close is really written to be a page turning action packed thriller that only gains intensity along the way. However, as much as I love a fast pace and plenty of action in this instance I felt it was all a tad off. Perhaps I just needed to know the characters a little better or perhaps it was due to it feeling a bit over the top but this one ended up a little flat for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Stephanie is a single mother and has done her best keeping her relationship with her son a priority despite her high pressure job. Even though Zachary has hit his sullen and angsty teenage years Stephanie still tries to keep communication open between them but one day while cleaning she finds a gun in her son's room.
Stephanie believes there has to be an explanation for what she's found but before a blink of an eye she finds her son being accused of so much more. Trying to stay one step ahead of the investigation Stephanie is determined to find out what is going on and prove her son is innocent
Keep You Close is really written to be a page turning action packed thriller that only gains intensity along the way. However, as much as I love a fast pace and plenty of action in this instance I felt it was all a tad off. Perhaps I just needed to know the characters a little better or perhaps it was due to it feeling a bit over the top but this one ended up a little flat for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
April 26, 2019
Karen Cleveland likes to tackle ethical dilemmas and how much you really know about the ones you love. Stephanie Maddox is the FBI agent in charge of Internal Investigations, so needless to say she has a strong sense of right and wrong. Which makes it even worse when she discovers a loaded gun in her teenage son’s room. I mean, anyone who’s raised teenagers knows they grow distant and moody, they stop communicating. But a gun? That’s way outside the norm.
We’re quickly given glimpses of Stephanie’s past interspersed with the current story. This book moves at a fast pace. But I can’t say I ever really connected with Stephanie. For some reason, she and the rest of the characters felt flat. Too many of the story lines have been done before. I didn’t feel like this broke any new ground.
This is a good story and an easy read, it just isn’t great. And I thought Need to Know had been great.
My thanks to netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
October 13, 2022
I LOVED Karen Cleveland’s debut about Russian sleeper cells in the US, and I was so excited to read “Keep You Close.” It was a terrific, fast-paced read set in the same world as “Need to Know” where FBI agent Stephanie discovers her teenage son Zachary may be involved in domestic terrorism. But where this novel truly gets juicy, just like in “Need to Know” is where the FBI agent instincts crash up against the mother’s need to deny her child could be part of an anarchist group. But who is telling the truth? Is Zachary innocent? Or is he being framed? Many players on this chess board.
We’re presented with lots of flashbacks. And Stephanie’s backstory is heartbreaking. As a warning, one of the triggers comes up frequently throughout the book, and the writing is intense. And as we get further in and more twists and turns come, this just gets better and better! I love the firsthand knowledge of government procedure Karen Cleveland brings to her writing and the way this book integrates the characters from “Need to Know.” These espionage thrillers that touch on current-day events are great and the ending was intense. Can’t wait to see what comes next!
Trigger Warnings:
We’re presented with lots of flashbacks. And Stephanie’s backstory is heartbreaking. As a warning, one of the triggers comes up frequently throughout the book, and the writing is intense. And as we get further in and more twists and turns come, this just gets better and better! I love the firsthand knowledge of government procedure Karen Cleveland brings to her writing and the way this book integrates the characters from “Need to Know.” These espionage thrillers that touch on current-day events are great and the ending was intense. Can’t wait to see what comes next!
Trigger Warnings:
December 13, 2020
Stephanie is a FBI agent single mother of a 17 year old son who she barely recognizes anymore, their relationship isn't the best but she tries her hardest to think the best of him.
Its when she finds a gun in his closet, that things start going crazy, she is mortified that he has a gun in the first place, his attitude is quite disturbing.
In the meantime her family are being threatened & Stephanie is finding it hard when the police show up accusing Zachary , her son of being involved in a terrorist group, she confronts him but Zachary denies knowing anything about it. But when she decided to look into the case about her son she forms an alliance with her former lover Scott who both are determined to get to the truth. The stakes get higher as Scott is killed, this sends Stephanie into utter panic as her mother is dead with a presumed heart attack. Who in the FBI is leaking information to the Russian government?
MY THOUGHTS
I loved this book from start to finish the characters were flawed but likeable the prose was enjoyable it was tense from beginning to end you could put yourself in Stephanie's shoes & ask how would you react? Karen Cleveland is the real deal in this genre.
Its when she finds a gun in his closet, that things start going crazy, she is mortified that he has a gun in the first place, his attitude is quite disturbing.
In the meantime her family are being threatened & Stephanie is finding it hard when the police show up accusing Zachary , her son of being involved in a terrorist group, she confronts him but Zachary denies knowing anything about it. But when she decided to look into the case about her son she forms an alliance with her former lover Scott who both are determined to get to the truth. The stakes get higher as Scott is killed, this sends Stephanie into utter panic as her mother is dead with a presumed heart attack. Who in the FBI is leaking information to the Russian government?
MY THOUGHTS
I loved this book from start to finish the characters were flawed but likeable the prose was enjoyable it was tense from beginning to end you could put yourself in Stephanie's shoes & ask how would you react? Karen Cleveland is the real deal in this genre.
April 17, 2019
I received a free e-copy of Keep You Close by Karen Cleveland from NetGalley for my honest review.
FBI agent, Stephanie Maddox, is a single mother of Zachary, her teenage son. One day, while cleaning her son's room, she finds a loaded gun. Another agent show up and Zachary is soon being accused of being associated with a terrorist group. A terrorist group that is planning mass attacks.
Does Stephanie really know her son? Is she being blinded by being his mother? She now has to decide whether she is going to believe her son or the agency she has worked at for twenty years.
An intense read with lots of twists.
FBI agent, Stephanie Maddox, is a single mother of Zachary, her teenage son. One day, while cleaning her son's room, she finds a loaded gun. Another agent show up and Zachary is soon being accused of being associated with a terrorist group. A terrorist group that is planning mass attacks.
Does Stephanie really know her son? Is she being blinded by being his mother? She now has to decide whether she is going to believe her son or the agency she has worked at for twenty years.
An intense read with lots of twists.
April 26, 2019
Karen Cleveland likes to tackle ethical dilemmas and how much you really know about the ones you love. Stephanie Maddox is the FBI agent in charge of Internal Investigations, so needless to say she has a strong sense of right and wrong. Which makes it even worse when she discovers a loaded gun in her teenage son’s room. I mean, anyone who’s raised teenagers knows they grow distant and moody, they stop communicating. But a gun? That’s way outside the norm.
We’re quickly given glimpses of Stephanie’s past interspersed with the current story. This book moves at a fast pace. But I can’t say I ever really connected with Stephanie. For some reason, she and the rest of the characters felt flat. Too many of the story lines have been done before. I didn’t feel like this broke any new ground.
This is a good story and an easy read, it just isn’t great. And I thought Need to Know had been great.
My thanks to netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
We’re quickly given glimpses of Stephanie’s past interspersed with the current story. This book moves at a fast pace. But I can’t say I ever really connected with Stephanie. For some reason, she and the rest of the characters felt flat. Too many of the story lines have been done before. I didn’t feel like this broke any new ground.
This is a good story and an easy read, it just isn’t great. And I thought Need to Know had been great.
My thanks to netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
January 18, 2019
In this propulsive thriller, FBI agent Steph Maddox must untangle a web of deceit when her 17-year-old son is accused of plotting to murder government officials.
Steph's determination to protect her son at all costs takes her deep into a conspiracy much more nefarious than she ever could have imagined, making her ultimately choose between her duty to her country or her duty to her son.
It's a fine premise, but it doesn't break any new ground and the writing leaves a lot to be desired. Thrillers are a dime a dozen, so when I sit down to read one, I want it to really stand out above the rest. This one does not.
The prose is extremely fast-paced and plot-driven, with lots of dialogue. While this makes for a quick and easy read, there's very little character development aside from some cliche flashbacks to Steph's past that establish her as a Strong Woman.
And the plot itself is pretty convoluted. There are twists, mostly for the sake of there being twists. The Russians are somehow involved, lending a topical element.
I was initially intrigued by the idea of a mother questioning if she really knows her son and being put into a difficult position of wondering what he might be capable of, but none of this is really explored with any nuance. And frustratingly, Steph's character arc ultimately puts her in the same position of weakness that she worked so hard to overcome.
If you love thrillers and don't have very high standards for them as long as they hold you're attention, you'll probably enjoy this just fine. Just don't expect much else.
Steph's determination to protect her son at all costs takes her deep into a conspiracy much more nefarious than she ever could have imagined, making her ultimately choose between her duty to her country or her duty to her son.
It's a fine premise, but it doesn't break any new ground and the writing leaves a lot to be desired. Thrillers are a dime a dozen, so when I sit down to read one, I want it to really stand out above the rest. This one does not.
The prose is extremely fast-paced and plot-driven, with lots of dialogue. While this makes for a quick and easy read, there's very little character development aside from some cliche flashbacks to Steph's past that establish her as a Strong Woman.
And the plot itself is pretty convoluted. There are twists, mostly for the sake of there being twists. The Russians are somehow involved, lending a topical element.
I was initially intrigued by the idea of a mother questioning if she really knows her son and being put into a difficult position of wondering what he might be capable of, but none of this is really explored with any nuance. And frustratingly, Steph's character arc ultimately puts her in the same position of weakness that she worked so hard to overcome.
If you love thrillers and don't have very high standards for them as long as they hold you're attention, you'll probably enjoy this just fine. Just don't expect much else.
June 27, 2019
Having adored Karen Cleveland's unique mix of spy and domestic thriller in her gripping debut, Need To Know, I wondered whether her sophomore novel would be able to live up to my expectations. She's done it again — this is a compulsive page-turner with relentless pace and relatable characters. Steph is a single mother to young Zachary but lately, she has been working late and they have grown apart. So when Steph discovers a gun in his bedroom she is startled and immediately jumps to conclusions about where it could've come from. She vows to find out the truth and being a CIA agent her access allows her to view information and get into places she rather wouldn't go. From then on we enter a world of derring-do, corruption, secrets and conspiracies all waiting to be unravelled and exposed.
The unusual aspect of this thriller is its superior authenticity; Karen Cleveland spent eight years as a CIA analyst, focusing on counterterrorism and working briefly on rotation to the FBI, she understands the ins and outs in writing superb espionage fiction. It's action-packed, twisty and powerful and explores family bonds and the morality of standing by a loved one when everyone else has turned their backs. The beautiful bond between mother and son is there for all to see. This is a quick, easy read and recommended to espionage connoisseurs and even readers of the wider thriller genre. Steph questions her decisions in terms of the moral and ethical implications, but ultimately it is a book that brings a whole new meaning to love conquers all. Many thanks to Bantam Press for an ARC.
The unusual aspect of this thriller is its superior authenticity; Karen Cleveland spent eight years as a CIA analyst, focusing on counterterrorism and working briefly on rotation to the FBI, she understands the ins and outs in writing superb espionage fiction. It's action-packed, twisty and powerful and explores family bonds and the morality of standing by a loved one when everyone else has turned their backs. The beautiful bond between mother and son is there for all to see. This is a quick, easy read and recommended to espionage connoisseurs and even readers of the wider thriller genre. Steph questions her decisions in terms of the moral and ethical implications, but ultimately it is a book that brings a whole new meaning to love conquers all. Many thanks to Bantam Press for an ARC.
August 4, 2019
2.5 Stars
This book had a lot of potential but a few things kept me from loving it. FBI agent Steph’s son seems to be at the center of a domestic terrorist threat, but she believes he is being set up. I was kept guessing as to who was behind it, which I liked. I didn’t like Steph as a mother. She constantly left Zach alone and unprotected. I also felt that too much was going on and too many subplots were being explored. Also, what is it with characters having inner psychologists (or goddesses) speak in their heads like a separate entity? Does anyone actually do that in real life?
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
This book had a lot of potential but a few things kept me from loving it. FBI agent Steph’s son seems to be at the center of a domestic terrorist threat, but she believes he is being set up. I was kept guessing as to who was behind it, which I liked. I didn’t like Steph as a mother. She constantly left Zach alone and unprotected. I also felt that too much was going on and too many subplots were being explored. Also, what is it with characters having inner psychologists (or goddesses) speak in their heads like a separate entity? Does anyone actually do that in real life?
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Read
May 24, 2020
Many thanks to Ballantine Books for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review
This book was sent to me by the publisher! If you would like to know how to get ARCs and review copies, feel free to watch my video, Advanced Reader Copies 101!
------------
i wish i could show you guys this. my copy is a manuscript but it is literally a google doc that was glued together which is cool
| Goodreads | Blog | Pinterest | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram
June 25, 2019
Wow, Keep You Close by Karen Cleveland is a fantastic read. I found you want a fast paced story with plenty of twists then you need to read this book. It has it all.... Russians, hate groups, terrorism, teenage issues... and an ending that you won't see coming .
Steph Maddox works for the FBI. She loves her job and her son Zach. But hasn't her job taken her attention away from being a good mother? When cleaning her sons room one day she makes a discovery that makes her doubt everything. A gun hidden amongst the dirty clothes. How well does she really know her son? And how far will she go to protect him? The more she looks into this the more danger she is in, and anybody in her life. Will she do what's right for her country or her family?
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transwold Publishers for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
Steph Maddox works for the FBI. She loves her job and her son Zach. But hasn't her job taken her attention away from being a good mother? When cleaning her sons room one day she makes a discovery that makes her doubt everything. A gun hidden amongst the dirty clothes. How well does she really know her son? And how far will she go to protect him? The more she looks into this the more danger she is in, and anybody in her life. Will she do what's right for her country or her family?
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transwold Publishers for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
April 19, 2021
First person, present tense writing felt stiff. Unlikable protagonist made one bad decision after another, especially with respect to her son. Convoluted plot. After reading 33% of the book I skipped to the Epilogue and was glad that I had avoided the rest of this mess. As in the author’s first book, this book makes you doubt the intelligence and integrity of everyone working for the US Government. Maybe she’s right, but there must be a more entertaining way to write about it. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
February 10, 2020
You know I almost let this one slip past, I saw the cover and title and thought it was a psychological thriller, which usually I love but fancied a change, but then decided to read it and soooo glad I did
For a start it is a hi octane paced thriller and secondly it is really well
written
FBI Agent Steph Maddox has her suspicions that her son is involved in something he shouldn’t be but when she finds out how serious it is and the implications to not just them but the whole Country she knows she has to stop what her son is planning....but is she too late? Is her son being set up? Just who is involved and has her past come back to haunt her? And what is her first love?, her son? or her Country?
That is just a small synopsis of what is a multi twisty and turny book to satisfy even the most adrenaline junkie seekers of readers, the action never stops and the story evolves as it goes on
The ending is and was unpredictable and left me quite shocked
The author I read after is an ex CIA employee and this really shows in the description and feel given to the parts dealing with the FBI/CIA and their procedures
A really good edgy read that fully enjoyed
10/10
5 Stars
June 27, 2019
3 1/2 stars
Definitely not the intense page turner as her debut political thriller Need to Know, but still an interesting read.
The ending—not sure if this is a lead in to a sequel or if the reader is to assume their own ending for the main protagonist. I’m leaning toward the first option but if not, that will cause me to bump this down in ratings.
ARC provided by NetGalley
Definitely not the intense page turner as her debut political thriller Need to Know, but still an interesting read.
The ending—not sure if this is a lead in to a sequel or if the reader is to assume their own ending for the main protagonist. I’m leaning toward the first option but if not, that will cause me to bump this down in ratings.
ARC provided by NetGalley
May 22, 2019
I'm a little saddened by my reaction to this book- Need To Know was one of my top thrillers last year - but Keep You Close didn't really hit the mark for me at all.
The premise is intriguing. It has a domestic noir hint - how well do you know your children- with a spy thriller twist- main protagonist is not your usual parent...
However my honest reaction was one of ennui. The characterful observations of Need to Know are lacking here, giving it a flat feel and it feels a lot more like a paint by numbers thriller. Which isn't a bad thing necessarily, other readers looking for a fast paced fairly light read will be well rewarded- but I guess I wanted more.
The twists are ok but not unexpectedly delightful as in the previous book and all in all it felt like an attempt to do the same thing again in a different domestic situation. I read it happily enough, even enjoyed a fair bit of it in a popcorn way and it's not bad by any means - I just didn't feel it this time. I'll look forward to book 3. My gut feeling is Keep You Close is simply another case of difficult second book syndrome and Karen Cleveland clearly is a talented writer so that'll pass.
The premise is intriguing. It has a domestic noir hint - how well do you know your children- with a spy thriller twist- main protagonist is not your usual parent...
However my honest reaction was one of ennui. The characterful observations of Need to Know are lacking here, giving it a flat feel and it feels a lot more like a paint by numbers thriller. Which isn't a bad thing necessarily, other readers looking for a fast paced fairly light read will be well rewarded- but I guess I wanted more.
The twists are ok but not unexpectedly delightful as in the previous book and all in all it felt like an attempt to do the same thing again in a different domestic situation. I read it happily enough, even enjoyed a fair bit of it in a popcorn way and it's not bad by any means - I just didn't feel it this time. I'll look forward to book 3. My gut feeling is Keep You Close is simply another case of difficult second book syndrome and Karen Cleveland clearly is a talented writer so that'll pass.
July 29, 2019
This was read as part of the #KYCreadalong on IG, making this an even more immersive and atmospheric read as I got to experience the twists and turns of the book, in real-time, along with a whole group of lovely bookstagrammers.
He is your son. You raised him to be helpful, kind, and considerate. He has grown from mummy's boy to becoming an upstanding member of society all on his own. He is an academic overachiever and a computer whizz-kid. He sleeps down the hallway from you but what do you really know about him? Can you trust him or do you fear him?
Steph Maddox is a single mother and a FBI agent. Her entire life revolves around the criminals she clears from the streets, but one such criminal might reside far closer than she ever anticipated. Her son, Zach, has become entangled in an anarchist terrorist group and is now a suspect in a major unfolding crime. His name is linked to murder but he is pleading innocence. Can Steph forget her mother's instincts or will she apprehend a new criminal? Can she use her expertise to clear her son's name before she looses him altogether or will she be the final nail in the coffin that buries the life is only just embarking on?
This was tense and suspenseful, fraught with danger lurking from every angle, and new suspects were consistently introduced to thicken the plot. This was, in short, a perfect thrilling read that delivered precisely everything I an anticipating. What it also unexpectedly delivered was a story fraught with high emotion and moral ambiguity. I was consistently misjudging characters and motives, as the good/bad binaries were altogether blurred and the divide between them called into question. There were many discussions held, during the readalong, over the ethics of the events unfolding. This, for me, was part of this thriller's charm and what made it such an unforgettable read.
Despite my early and ongoing admiration, the ending didn't feel fully satisfying and closed not quite becoming everything I thought this was going to be. It set itself up well for a following series instalment but felt a little abrupt in the context and closure of this story-line.
He is your son. You raised him to be helpful, kind, and considerate. He has grown from mummy's boy to becoming an upstanding member of society all on his own. He is an academic overachiever and a computer whizz-kid. He sleeps down the hallway from you but what do you really know about him? Can you trust him or do you fear him?
Steph Maddox is a single mother and a FBI agent. Her entire life revolves around the criminals she clears from the streets, but one such criminal might reside far closer than she ever anticipated. Her son, Zach, has become entangled in an anarchist terrorist group and is now a suspect in a major unfolding crime. His name is linked to murder but he is pleading innocence. Can Steph forget her mother's instincts or will she apprehend a new criminal? Can she use her expertise to clear her son's name before she looses him altogether or will she be the final nail in the coffin that buries the life is only just embarking on?
This was tense and suspenseful, fraught with danger lurking from every angle, and new suspects were consistently introduced to thicken the plot. This was, in short, a perfect thrilling read that delivered precisely everything I an anticipating. What it also unexpectedly delivered was a story fraught with high emotion and moral ambiguity. I was consistently misjudging characters and motives, as the good/bad binaries were altogether blurred and the divide between them called into question. There were many discussions held, during the readalong, over the ethics of the events unfolding. This, for me, was part of this thriller's charm and what made it such an unforgettable read.
Despite my early and ongoing admiration, the ending didn't feel fully satisfying and closed not quite becoming everything I thought this was going to be. It set itself up well for a following series instalment but felt a little abrupt in the context and closure of this story-line.
May 31, 2024
It is not a good sign if it takes me ten days to read a “thriller”. Needless to say, I am not thrilled with this second effort by Karen Cleveland . In comparison to her debut, NEED TO KNOW, this book is a polar opposite, as reflected in my ratings of the two novels.
KEEP YOU CLOSE has an intriguing story arc but it fell flat, in large part because the characters are flat. One dimensional characters and their stilted dialogue become dull. Incessant and redundant internal dialogue of the narrator not only slows the pace but is quite annoying.
There is plenty of action that should be enthralling, but instead, become frustrating and confusing due to poor transitioning between the numerous and disjointed events. Furthermore, events become confusing because of the writing style; there are A LOT of flashbacks that are introduced then dropped, mentioned again briefly,dropped, then mentioned again ( see what I mean by disjointed?).....by which time the reader struggles to remember which character(?), what happened(?), when was this in the story timeline(?). I felt myself getting lost in all the clutter; worse, I lost interest due to this repetitive, back and forth, and convoluted writing style.
I kept reading, trying to focus on all ‘the who doing what to whom’ because I knew (hoped) this author would make it worth the read. Regrettably, she did not. The storyline continued to plod along with event after event occurring in protagonist Step’s life in which she has no control over nor power to overcome. In the end, she never overcomes the conflict. Without a conflict resolution, the story arc itself does not resolve satisfactorily. It is disappointing when the protagonist is not victorious; indeed, Steph is utterly defeated by political, conspiratorial machinations. Not a satisfying denouement.
This second book is disappointing but Cleveland’s first book, NEED TO KNOW, is an electrifying thriller which I highly recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
KEEP YOU CLOSE has an intriguing story arc but it fell flat, in large part because the characters are flat. One dimensional characters and their stilted dialogue become dull. Incessant and redundant internal dialogue of the narrator not only slows the pace but is quite annoying.
There is plenty of action that should be enthralling, but instead, become frustrating and confusing due to poor transitioning between the numerous and disjointed events. Furthermore, events become confusing because of the writing style; there are A LOT of flashbacks that are introduced then dropped, mentioned again briefly,dropped, then mentioned again ( see what I mean by disjointed?).....by which time the reader struggles to remember which character(?), what happened(?), when was this in the story timeline(?). I felt myself getting lost in all the clutter; worse, I lost interest due to this repetitive, back and forth, and convoluted writing style.
I kept reading, trying to focus on all ‘the who doing what to whom’ because I knew (hoped) this author would make it worth the read. Regrettably, she did not. The storyline continued to plod along with event after event occurring in protagonist Step’s life in which she has no control over nor power to overcome. In the end, she never overcomes the conflict. Without a conflict resolution, the story arc itself does not resolve satisfactorily. It is disappointing when the protagonist is not victorious; indeed, Steph is utterly defeated by political, conspiratorial machinations. Not a satisfying denouement.
This second book is disappointing but Cleveland’s first book, NEED TO KNOW, is an electrifying thriller which I highly recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2020
I received a free e-copy of Keep You Close by Karen Cleveland from NetGalley for my honest review.
How far will you go as a parent to protect your child?
Stephanie Maddox, head of the FBI’s Internal Investigations division, works all the time. Her work, however, is starting to effect the relationship she has with her teenage son, Zachary. One day, She finds a gun that is hidden in his closet. Then a fellow FBI agent tells her that he might be part of a domestic terrorism cell.
I enjoyed this book but as it went on I felt like it was dragging some.
How far will you go as a parent to protect your child?
Stephanie Maddox, head of the FBI’s Internal Investigations division, works all the time. Her work, however, is starting to effect the relationship she has with her teenage son, Zachary. One day, She finds a gun that is hidden in his closet. Then a fellow FBI agent tells her that he might be part of a domestic terrorism cell.
I enjoyed this book but as it went on I felt like it was dragging some.
July 27, 2019
* I was sent this for review by the publisher *
I am glad that this book came to me, even though I do not often read thrillers, I do enjoy them, and this one was certainly fun. I read it in a few hours and enjoyed my time with the characters and the world. There was a lot to like about the characters, and I think I was surprised at how they felt very real even though the book was short. I think the topics discussed within the book were very interesting, relationships with kids, work/life balance etc. and overall it was a read which sucked me in and made me curious about the outcome.
This is a story following detective Steph Maddox, a young single mother who works for the FBI. She has had issues over the years balancing her son and her demanding job, and one day she gets a tip that her son may not be the boy she thinks he is. From there, she starts to question him, her choices to raise him, and everything else in her life.
Stephanie as a character is interesting becuase she knows how to read people and has dealt with tough situations. I enjoyed her viewpoint on things, but I found myself a little irked by the constant "inner voice" of the psychiatrist which just asked the questions that the reader was already asking. I wasn't sure that this narrative was particularly necessary, but it wasn't too much of a draw from her character which overall entertained.
Zachary is her son and the focus of the plot, should we #trusthim or #fearhim. He's definitely a character which I felt like had a lot of nuance. He's a young teen who wants to be independent and he wants to do his own thing, but he's also a hacker and maybe even a liar. We never quite know if we should believe him and the reader is in the same boat as Stephanie trying to figure out who he really is.
In the end the story revolved around the mystery of Zach's involvement with an extremist group and whether he was suspicious and guilty or not. I did enjoy the plot, but I had a few niggles with the constant finger-pointing at "the Russians" as I felt this was rather over-dramatic, a whole country is never to blame for one organisation or crazy plot or conspiracy, and that finger-pointing just seems a little juvenile to me.
In the end I gave this a 3.5*s :)
I am glad that this book came to me, even though I do not often read thrillers, I do enjoy them, and this one was certainly fun. I read it in a few hours and enjoyed my time with the characters and the world. There was a lot to like about the characters, and I think I was surprised at how they felt very real even though the book was short. I think the topics discussed within the book were very interesting, relationships with kids, work/life balance etc. and overall it was a read which sucked me in and made me curious about the outcome.
This is a story following detective Steph Maddox, a young single mother who works for the FBI. She has had issues over the years balancing her son and her demanding job, and one day she gets a tip that her son may not be the boy she thinks he is. From there, she starts to question him, her choices to raise him, and everything else in her life.
Stephanie as a character is interesting becuase she knows how to read people and has dealt with tough situations. I enjoyed her viewpoint on things, but I found myself a little irked by the constant "inner voice" of the psychiatrist which just asked the questions that the reader was already asking. I wasn't sure that this narrative was particularly necessary, but it wasn't too much of a draw from her character which overall entertained.
Zachary is her son and the focus of the plot, should we #trusthim or #fearhim. He's definitely a character which I felt like had a lot of nuance. He's a young teen who wants to be independent and he wants to do his own thing, but he's also a hacker and maybe even a liar. We never quite know if we should believe him and the reader is in the same boat as Stephanie trying to figure out who he really is.
In the end the story revolved around the mystery of Zach's involvement with an extremist group and whether he was suspicious and guilty or not. I did enjoy the plot, but I had a few niggles with the constant finger-pointing at "the Russians" as I felt this was rather over-dramatic, a whole country is never to blame for one organisation or crazy plot or conspiracy, and that finger-pointing just seems a little juvenile to me.
In the end I gave this a 3.5*s :)
May 26, 2019
A fast-paced, action packed, suspense story.
Keep You Close is my first Karen Cleveland novel. I was impressed by the breakneck speed with which this story unfolded. It grips you from page number 1 and doesn't let go until the end. I read the entire book yesterday, and it definitely kept my interest. The political fodder is scary to contemplate.
Having said all that, the novel felt somewhat empty. There was next to no character development, and the writing was so abrupt and unexpressive, I felt little personal engagement to the story. It needed something more. And let's be real here, for a woman who had worked her way up the ranks of the FBI, Stephanie was a bit of a dimwit. I could not, for the life of me, figure out why she did/said certain things. That was the biggest turn-off for me, and why I didn't rate this novel higher.
Recommended to those who enjoy brisk action novels. I could see this being a good beach read.
Thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Keven Cleveland for my copy.
Publication date: May 28, 2019
Review published on Goodreads: May 26, 2019
Keep You Close is my first Karen Cleveland novel. I was impressed by the breakneck speed with which this story unfolded. It grips you from page number 1 and doesn't let go until the end. I read the entire book yesterday, and it definitely kept my interest. The political fodder is scary to contemplate.
Having said all that, the novel felt somewhat empty. There was next to no character development, and the writing was so abrupt and unexpressive, I felt little personal engagement to the story. It needed something more. And let's be real here, for a woman who had worked her way up the ranks of the FBI, Stephanie was a bit of a dimwit. I could not, for the life of me, figure out why she did/said certain things. That was the biggest turn-off for me, and why I didn't rate this novel higher.
Recommended to those who enjoy brisk action novels. I could see this being a good beach read.
Thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Keven Cleveland for my copy.
Publication date: May 28, 2019
Review published on Goodreads: May 26, 2019
August 3, 2019
Steph Maddox (single mom-33), a Chief of FBI investigations, had found a incomprehensible Glock-26 pistol in her “honor role” son’s closet (Zach-17). When Steph was 17+, she worked for a political figure who rapes her.
Others told Steph to let it go, who would believe her, no one would believe her claiming “indecent assaults” over this man.
She is persistent for revenge, goes to law school & with goals to help victims.
She rises to a Chief FBI agent to bring justice to others. Scott Clark(FBI friend) warns that a past Politician she knew, who harmed her, is now involved with a Anti.Gov.Group & Russian lead, which will harm her family & career.
The end was hard with many “loops”.
Her son uncovers his DNA “family tree” to his half-brother & his corrupt political father? They injure grandma, get Steph demoted to a lower FBI position, murder a FBI friend & surprised Zach w/college rejections, from his “honor rows”? Steph is held at gunpoint - “I’ve gone this long w/o killing you” by a group leader & Zach maybe framed w/fingerprints on chemical poisons that lead to murders & a major political resignation?
Others told Steph to let it go, who would believe her, no one would believe her claiming “indecent assaults” over this man.
She is persistent for revenge, goes to law school & with goals to help victims.
She rises to a Chief FBI agent to bring justice to others. Scott Clark(FBI friend) warns that a past Politician she knew, who harmed her, is now involved with a Anti.Gov.Group & Russian lead, which will harm her family & career.
The end was hard with many “loops”.
Her son uncovers his DNA “family tree” to his half-brother & his corrupt political father? They injure grandma, get Steph demoted to a lower FBI position, murder a FBI friend & surprised Zach w/college rejections, from his “honor rows”? Steph is held at gunpoint - “I’ve gone this long w/o killing you” by a group leader & Zach maybe framed w/fingerprints on chemical poisons that lead to murders & a major political resignation?
July 5, 2019
FBI agent Stephanie Maddox's world turns upside down when she finds a gun hidden in her son Zachary's closet. It gets even worse when a colleague of her tells her that her son is involved with a terrorist group. She can't believe it, but how well does she know her son? For most of his life she has been prioritizing her job most of the time, and now she is worried that she doesn't know the young man he has become. Could he really be a treat to the country? And what should she do if he is?
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
June 1, 2019
"The truth is rarely pure and never simple." (Oscar Wilde)
Stephanie Maddox heads the FBI's Internal Investigations division and is uniquely placed because of her inherent beliefs about right and wrong. She's all about love of country and the greater good. How to shake up a strong-willed person like that? Get to her son. Steph's a single mother to teenaged Zachary. Lately the two haven't gotten along so well and she is suddenly faced with some discoveries that make her realize that she doesn't know Zachary at all. When Steph finds out that Zachary is implicated in a domestic terrorist plot, when she finds a gun hidden in his room, and when she's told that he's in real trouble -- what does she do? DENIAL. Stephanie believes that her son is being framed because of some deep secrets that she discovered as part of her own previous cases and investigations. All she is asked to do in order to protect her son from prison is to "let it go." NO SPOILERS.
Make no mistake, this is a fast-paced and very complicated thriller involving the FBI, CIA and the upper levels of government. It's quite difficult to guess at what is going on, and even after I finished, I had to go back and read the last couple of chapters several times. Even now I'm not quite sure I completely understand all the nuances and the cross-double cross espionage pieces of the plot and definitely unsure of which are the bad guys. As far as the character of Stephanie Maddox -- that's tough. She's definitely dedicated to her job and never makes the choices I'd make as a mom but I guess all she's ever known is how to keep her cards and information close to her chest and she exists in a state of distrust. And she is full of questions and secrets without anyone to turn to with her dilemma.
I was quite surprised to find that this novel is somewhat related to NEED TO KNOW though it's not a series per se. I'll be interested to see what the author does next and if any of these characters reappear in her next book. Although I enjoyed this, I didn't like it nearly as much as I liked the first one. It was a little hard to keep all the players straight as they didn't go into neat little boxes! Probably my fault!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this e-book ARC to read and review.
3.5 stars
Stephanie Maddox heads the FBI's Internal Investigations division and is uniquely placed because of her inherent beliefs about right and wrong. She's all about love of country and the greater good. How to shake up a strong-willed person like that? Get to her son. Steph's a single mother to teenaged Zachary. Lately the two haven't gotten along so well and she is suddenly faced with some discoveries that make her realize that she doesn't know Zachary at all. When Steph finds out that Zachary is implicated in a domestic terrorist plot, when she finds a gun hidden in his room, and when she's told that he's in real trouble -- what does she do? DENIAL. Stephanie believes that her son is being framed because of some deep secrets that she discovered as part of her own previous cases and investigations. All she is asked to do in order to protect her son from prison is to "let it go." NO SPOILERS.
Make no mistake, this is a fast-paced and very complicated thriller involving the FBI, CIA and the upper levels of government. It's quite difficult to guess at what is going on, and even after I finished, I had to go back and read the last couple of chapters several times. Even now I'm not quite sure I completely understand all the nuances and the cross-double cross espionage pieces of the plot and definitely unsure of which are the bad guys. As far as the character of Stephanie Maddox -- that's tough. She's definitely dedicated to her job and never makes the choices I'd make as a mom but I guess all she's ever known is how to keep her cards and information close to her chest and she exists in a state of distrust. And she is full of questions and secrets without anyone to turn to with her dilemma.
I was quite surprised to find that this novel is somewhat related to NEED TO KNOW though it's not a series per se. I'll be interested to see what the author does next and if any of these characters reappear in her next book. Although I enjoyed this, I didn't like it nearly as much as I liked the first one. It was a little hard to keep all the players straight as they didn't go into neat little boxes! Probably my fault!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this e-book ARC to read and review.
3.5 stars
July 30, 2019
The Good:
*Plot. I was completely engrossed in the novel and didn’t want to put it down. The conspiracy plot was intriguing and a lot bigger than a simple terrorist plot. I couldn’t figure out who was or wasn’t guilty. There was a lot of action which also made this a fantastic thriller. Steph’s past helped enhance the story and added a lot of suspects.
*Steph. Stephanie Maddox is an FBI agent who is the head of the Internal Investigations unit. She doesn’t have many friends, and she is estranged from her son, though she likes to believe otherwise. Her world swiftly comes crashing down and I sympathized with her a lot and really wished that there was a way for her to get out of this mess. Her broken relationship with her mother also meant that she didn’t have any real support besides her self.
-
The Bad:
*The Ending. I, personally, felt as though the ending could have been wrapped up more neatly, or at least an epilogue could have been added so that we could find out what eventually happened to the characters.
*Zach & Steph’s Mom. I didn’t like either of them at all. Zach was annoying, and though I understand why he was drifting away from his mom, I felt like he should have told her what he did, especially after all she’d done for him. Steph’s Mom was kind of judgmental in my opinion, so I didn’t like her either.
*Characters. This book was more about the plot than it was about the characters. That isn’t necessarily bad, but I would have liked the story to explore Steph’s character, and maybe Scott’s as well. But the mystery is great nonetheless!
-
The Wrap:
In the end, I liked this, I would recommend it if you’re looking for a quick thriller, and I hope you enjoy it if you read it! The characters were okay, the plot and mystery intense, and there was a lot of action. It is also relatively short so you can read it quickly. I originally had this as 4 stars, but I’m going to bring it down to 3.
One sentence summary: A quick thriller with okay characters.
Overall, 3 stars
★★★☆☆
Blog | Goodreads | Reedsy
June 30, 2019
KEEP YOU CLOSE is filled with so many twists and turns through a fast paced novel. As Stephanie Maddox, an FBI agent, learns that her son has been implicated in domestic terrorism. As she works to save him, be prepared for an explosive ending for which you will never be prepared! Highly recommended
June 19, 2019
First of all, I really enjoyed Karen Cleveland’s debut novel last year – NEED TO KNOW – a lot. In my review, I wrote about how it was a concept novel that worked well and recommended it highly. Guess my surprise when I stopped by my local Barnes & Noble last week and by accident, spotted Cleveland’s second novel –KEEP YOU CLOSE - in the new hardcover section. Oh, the gleam in my eye knowing that I was looking forward to another unbelievable, tension-filled, psychological, spy filled, masterpiece…
Well, I just finished the book approximately 30 minutes ago and I am still processing the cumulative effect of the book and ending as I write my review. There were things I liked and there were things that I didn’t like…
Let’s go through them, starting with the things I liked. Although this book is not a sequel to her first, Cleveland is growing and developing her talents as a writer. In several ways she demonstrates her natural talent for writing thrillers, full of suspenseful twists and turns, and psychological drama on almost every page. Although you need to suspend some belief, she delivers strong results for the most part. I read the book over two days, staying up late to find out what would happen because I was wholly immersed in the story. I skipped studying for a professional test, put Netflix on hold until I was done with this book, and sacrificed some of my sleep hours to get through it.
For those of you who enjoyed the fast pacing and surprises at every corner in her first book, many of those same qualities will be found in this one too. Especially the intrigue and deception. Cleveland has increased the stakes when it comes to those. For those of you who were hoping for more of the same, you may take a moment to quietly rejoice before I move on in my review.
Now let’s discuss the things I didn’t like so much and struggled with. Like her first book, which focused on a strong female character – Vivian Miller, CIA analyst – this one is about Stephanie Maddox, FBI department head and single parent of a strong-willed son who’s a senior in high school. The first two chapters kick off in high speed like the previous book with Stephanie discovering a loaded gun in her son’s closet, followed by a personal visit from a colleague working on domestic terrorism and a former love interest who’s there about her son, Zachary, who’s in big trouble...
Just like Vivian struggling to believe whether or not her husband was a Russian spy, one of the major themes in this book is how well does Stephanie truly know or not really know her son. Does she know what he is really capable of? Like her predecessor, Stephanie faces challenges with her how well she has performed in her family responsibilities as opposed to focusing on her career. In this situation, Stephanie has sacrificed her son many times over and her investment in their relationship may be beyond repair.
Cleveland uses their family drama for motivational purposes in driving the plot forward at break-neck speed, but for me it didn’t always work as effectively as I was hoping for. I know that Cleveland was trying to emphasize how we can be blinded to what are children are capable of, but how she delivered it in her writing didn't always work for me this time around from a reasonableness standpoint. Sometimes I just found Stephanie acting stupid and I struggled with why she would behave so immaturely when she is fully trained and experienced FBI agent. I am sure that was what the writer was trying to get across - we all make stupid emotional mistakes when we are really stressed about our children - but there some key moments when Stephanie made certain illogical choices and decisions that required the suspension of grounded reality.
The transitions between scenes were also a bit choppy and lost the flow at times throughout the book. That might be a bit nitpicky, but it was noticeable, and disruptive.
That leads up to my biggest problem with the book. I have to dance around this issue gently, making sure not to give away any spoilers, or ruin key plot points. Maybe we were spoiled by Cleveland’s first book and the cool, shocking ending on the last page that sent chills down our spines. Maybe it created too much of an expectation for her future books, which is unfair. But, being careful in how I address it, the ending is a bit of a struggle after devouring 300 plus pages to get this particular ending. Some will accept and love it, wondering what my problems with it really is. But other readers may be more like me and say “What the heck?”. There is a large build-up to an emotional climactic ending (that includes a surprise meeting with a certain female character that shall not be named) that doesn’t even fully occur. There are certain key moments and game-changing plot activity that is in some unbelievable manner left to occur off screen. Yes, off screen. And I am pretty sure most of it was to build up momentum and excitement for a third book. Oh, let's keep this thing going...
Well dang it! Truth be told, I loved some of the ending and absolutely hated most of it with a passion that will drive me crazy for several days as I let it process and percolate the outcomes in my head. And let me add, I can't stand it when a writer purposely leaves things hanging or vague, therefore robbing a reader of their well-deserved complete experience. Yes, I know that some writers, especially those in the fantasy, science fiction, etc. genres tend do that sometimes, but this was advertised as a stand-alone book and having closure is a fair expectation from the reader.
I understand that for most of you, until you read the book, my rant about the ending will not make sense, so please come back and re-read my comments after you are done with it. You can agree with me or completely disagree and call me crazy, that’s okay. That’s what the Goodreads forum is for – the respectful exchange of ideas that writers explore in their books and the way those thoughts and themes make us feel.
Overall, this is a concept novel, much like her first, and it works most of the time. It explores how we can create a tunnel-vision view of our own selfish truths, especially when it comes our children - our commitment to them, our sacrifices for their well-being, and our undying love for them. My overall score is skewed – a strong 4 stars for all of the good stuff and a weak 2 stars for all of the things I struggled with, including, and especially, the ending – which comes out to 3 stars for my rating.
P.S. I must add a comment that if the surprise meeting with a certain female character that shall not be named, had occurred, and the payoff delivered for the reader, I might have given the book 4 stars… but also, poor Yorick…
Well, I just finished the book approximately 30 minutes ago and I am still processing the cumulative effect of the book and ending as I write my review. There were things I liked and there were things that I didn’t like…
Let’s go through them, starting with the things I liked. Although this book is not a sequel to her first, Cleveland is growing and developing her talents as a writer. In several ways she demonstrates her natural talent for writing thrillers, full of suspenseful twists and turns, and psychological drama on almost every page. Although you need to suspend some belief, she delivers strong results for the most part. I read the book over two days, staying up late to find out what would happen because I was wholly immersed in the story. I skipped studying for a professional test, put Netflix on hold until I was done with this book, and sacrificed some of my sleep hours to get through it.
For those of you who enjoyed the fast pacing and surprises at every corner in her first book, many of those same qualities will be found in this one too. Especially the intrigue and deception. Cleveland has increased the stakes when it comes to those. For those of you who were hoping for more of the same, you may take a moment to quietly rejoice before I move on in my review.
Now let’s discuss the things I didn’t like so much and struggled with. Like her first book, which focused on a strong female character – Vivian Miller, CIA analyst – this one is about Stephanie Maddox, FBI department head and single parent of a strong-willed son who’s a senior in high school. The first two chapters kick off in high speed like the previous book with Stephanie discovering a loaded gun in her son’s closet, followed by a personal visit from a colleague working on domestic terrorism and a former love interest who’s there about her son, Zachary, who’s in big trouble...
Just like Vivian struggling to believe whether or not her husband was a Russian spy, one of the major themes in this book is how well does Stephanie truly know or not really know her son. Does she know what he is really capable of? Like her predecessor, Stephanie faces challenges with her how well she has performed in her family responsibilities as opposed to focusing on her career. In this situation, Stephanie has sacrificed her son many times over and her investment in their relationship may be beyond repair.
Cleveland uses their family drama for motivational purposes in driving the plot forward at break-neck speed, but for me it didn’t always work as effectively as I was hoping for. I know that Cleveland was trying to emphasize how we can be blinded to what are children are capable of, but how she delivered it in her writing didn't always work for me this time around from a reasonableness standpoint. Sometimes I just found Stephanie acting stupid and I struggled with why she would behave so immaturely when she is fully trained and experienced FBI agent. I am sure that was what the writer was trying to get across - we all make stupid emotional mistakes when we are really stressed about our children - but there some key moments when Stephanie made certain illogical choices and decisions that required the suspension of grounded reality.
The transitions between scenes were also a bit choppy and lost the flow at times throughout the book. That might be a bit nitpicky, but it was noticeable, and disruptive.
That leads up to my biggest problem with the book. I have to dance around this issue gently, making sure not to give away any spoilers, or ruin key plot points. Maybe we were spoiled by Cleveland’s first book and the cool, shocking ending on the last page that sent chills down our spines. Maybe it created too much of an expectation for her future books, which is unfair. But, being careful in how I address it, the ending is a bit of a struggle after devouring 300 plus pages to get this particular ending. Some will accept and love it, wondering what my problems with it really is. But other readers may be more like me and say “What the heck?”. There is a large build-up to an emotional climactic ending (that includes a surprise meeting with a certain female character that shall not be named) that doesn’t even fully occur. There are certain key moments and game-changing plot activity that is in some unbelievable manner left to occur off screen. Yes, off screen. And I am pretty sure most of it was to build up momentum and excitement for a third book. Oh, let's keep this thing going...
Well dang it! Truth be told, I loved some of the ending and absolutely hated most of it with a passion that will drive me crazy for several days as I let it process and percolate the outcomes in my head. And let me add, I can't stand it when a writer purposely leaves things hanging or vague, therefore robbing a reader of their well-deserved complete experience. Yes, I know that some writers, especially those in the fantasy, science fiction, etc. genres tend do that sometimes, but this was advertised as a stand-alone book and having closure is a fair expectation from the reader.
I understand that for most of you, until you read the book, my rant about the ending will not make sense, so please come back and re-read my comments after you are done with it. You can agree with me or completely disagree and call me crazy, that’s okay. That’s what the Goodreads forum is for – the respectful exchange of ideas that writers explore in their books and the way those thoughts and themes make us feel.
Overall, this is a concept novel, much like her first, and it works most of the time. It explores how we can create a tunnel-vision view of our own selfish truths, especially when it comes our children - our commitment to them, our sacrifices for their well-being, and our undying love for them. My overall score is skewed – a strong 4 stars for all of the good stuff and a weak 2 stars for all of the things I struggled with, including, and especially, the ending – which comes out to 3 stars for my rating.
P.S. I must add a comment that if the surprise meeting with a certain female character that shall not be named, had occurred, and the payoff delivered for the reader, I might have given the book 4 stars… but also, poor Yorick…
February 3, 2020
Keep You Close by Karen Cleveland is the story of Steph Maddox, an FBI agent who heads their Internal Investigations Division. Steph sniffs out crime in their own ranks and is honest about reporting it. Everything changes when she gets a visit from another agent and her own son Zachary is suddenly under suspicion for domestic terrorism. Steph's past comes back to haunt her as she fights for her son and for truth.
I really enjoyed 90% of this book. I was engaged and interested in the outcome. It was well written and I couldn't put it down. Then came the ending. The ending was horrible and unresolved and I felt like I was left hanging. Maybe the author will write a sequel, but for now the ending was completely disappointing and ruined the rest of the book for me. If the author writes a sequel, my opinion might change.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. My opinions are voluntary.
I really enjoyed 90% of this book. I was engaged and interested in the outcome. It was well written and I couldn't put it down. Then came the ending. The ending was horrible and unresolved and I felt like I was left hanging. Maybe the author will write a sequel, but for now the ending was completely disappointing and ruined the rest of the book for me. If the author writes a sequel, my opinion might change.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. My opinions are voluntary.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 962 reviews