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Abby Mullen Thrillers #1
A Deadly Influence
Lieutenant Abby Mullen is no stranger to crisis. As the hostage negotiation instructor for the NYPD, she deals with worst-case scenarios every day. Nothing fazes her anymore.
That all changes when she gets a call from Eden Fletcher, a fellow survivor of the infamous Wilcox cult. The two haven’t spoken since the night of a tragic, fiery massacre, when their paths diverged. But now Eden needs Abby’s help: someone has kidnapped her son and is demanding a $5 million ransom. As Abby throws herself into the case, she can’t help but wonder why the kidnapper has targeted Eden. But Eden refuses to talk. She’s silent about the relics of their shared past hanging on her walls. About the kidnapper’s possible motives. About what’s happened in the years since she and Abby parted ways.
As the truth closes in, Abby realizes that her past may not be as far behind as she thought…and it’s come home to collect.
That all changes when she gets a call from Eden Fletcher, a fellow survivor of the infamous Wilcox cult. The two haven’t spoken since the night of a tragic, fiery massacre, when their paths diverged. But now Eden needs Abby’s help: someone has kidnapped her son and is demanding a $5 million ransom. As Abby throws herself into the case, she can’t help but wonder why the kidnapper has targeted Eden. But Eden refuses to talk. She’s silent about the relics of their shared past hanging on her walls. About the kidnapper’s possible motives. About what’s happened in the years since she and Abby parted ways.
As the truth closes in, Abby realizes that her past may not be as far behind as she thought…and it’s come home to collect.
443 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2021
9831 people are currently reading
16506 people want to read
About the author
Mike Omer
21 books2,300 followersMike Omer is the author of the Zoe Bentley Mystery Series, the Abby Mullen Thrillers, and more. In the past, he's been a journalist, a game developer, and the CEO of the company Loadingames. He lives in Ireland, and is married to a woman who diligently forces him to live his dream. He is the father of an angel, a pixie, and a leprechaun.
Mike loves to write about true-to-life people who are perpetrators or victims of crimes. He also likes writing funny stuff. He mixes these two loves quite passionately into his mystery books.
You can contact Mike by sending him an e-mail to mikeomerauthor@gmail.com
Mike loves to write about true-to-life people who are perpetrators or victims of crimes. He also likes writing funny stuff. He mixes these two loves quite passionately into his mystery books.
You can contact Mike by sending him an e-mail to mikeomerauthor@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,330 reviews
April 11, 2021
This is the first in a new series. Abby Mullen is a crisis negotiator. But she’s also a divorcee and a mother of two. “They should insist all prospective negotiators have kids. Nothing prepares you better for crisis management.” Abby also grew up in a cult. Now, she’s involved with a kidnapping case. The mother happens to be another survivor of that cult. And it’s possible her child has been kidnapped by another cult the woman joined as an adult. Or is the kidnapper someone with a fetish for the daughter, who is an Instagram star?
This is a well done, fast paced thriller. There are flashes of humor. I didn’t see either of the twists coming at the end. Omer gives us lots of interesting information on cults. And I intend to use a few of Abby’s tricks for how to win over people. 😉
Recommended for anyone who’s a fan of well done police procedurals.I will definitely be reading book two in the series.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of this book.
This is a well done, fast paced thriller. There are flashes of humor. I didn’t see either of the twists coming at the end. Omer gives us lots of interesting information on cults. And I intend to use a few of Abby’s tricks for how to win over people. 😉
Recommended for anyone who’s a fan of well done police procedurals.I will definitely be reading book two in the series.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of this book.
March 1, 2021
Wow!!
I did not see that coming and I must read the next book!
If you want a book that is captivating and action packed this is it!
From start to finish it had me guessing and I can tell you I was so wrong. I don’t want to spoil the read but Abby is fantastic and I look forward to seeing where Abby and Carver’s friendship goes. Storyline was fantastic and now I must know who she was talking to!!!
Fantastic book had me on the edge of my seat and a must read for any thriller enthusiast!!
I did not see that coming and I must read the next book!
If you want a book that is captivating and action packed this is it!
From start to finish it had me guessing and I can tell you I was so wrong. I don’t want to spoil the read but Abby is fantastic and I look forward to seeing where Abby and Carver’s friendship goes. Storyline was fantastic and now I must know who she was talking to!!!
Fantastic book had me on the edge of my seat and a must read for any thriller enthusiast!!
April 15, 2021
great start to a series ... powerful characters and story telling, including terrifying descriptions of how a cult recruits members and achieves blind loyalty ... and oh so similar to the Republican cult of Trump
February 5, 2022
Launching a new series is always a bit of a risk, but Mike Omer has some stellar writing under his belt already and his stories pull the reader in from the outset. Abby Mullen is a hostage negotiator with the NYPD, as well as being a single mom. She’s adept at balancing both, but when she is approached by a woman from her past, Abby cannot help but remember a time when she was suffering a great deal of pain. A young boy has been kidnapped and a large ransom is being sought. While the family cannot afford it, there is an angle that may help raise the money. As Abby takes a gamble and looks for clues in the most unusual spots, she comes to terms with a lot from her past she never wanted to revisit. Will it help find a young boy or simply open old wounds? Omer does a bang-up job and keeps the reader hooked until the final page.
Abby Mullen has enjoyed her time with the NYPD, working as a hostage negotiator. It seems to hep hone her skills for life at home, where she is a single mom to two and dealing with a whiny ex. However, she has a secret about which few know, which has always been something she prided herself on. All that is about to come crashing down on her.
After a young boy is kidnapped off the street, his mother, Eden Fletcher, approaches Abby for help. Eden was a survivor of the Wilcox cult, as was a young Abby. Eden is less secretive about their shared past and wonders if a more recent group with which she was involved could be part of the kidnapping plot. While Abby works to dig a little deeper, the $5 million ransom sought soon can be better understood, as Eden’s other child, a teenage girl, has quite the social media following.
While Abby vows never to return to the cult life, she probes within the membership of a new ‘Christian community’ to see if anyone might have nabbed the boy to punish Eden for leaving. All this opens old wounds and keeps Abby from being able to think clearly. All that being said, there is a boy who needs his family and Abby will not rest until that happens. Omer does well with this series debut and I am eager to get my hands on the next one.
Mike Omer knows how to add an eerieness to his writing like few others, which has always left me wanting to read his books as soon as I can. This new series is a little less psychological, but just as captivating and left me wanting to know more about Abby Mullen and those around her. With a strong plot and curious backstory, I am intrigued to see where things will head with this piece as the series progresses.
Abby Mullen lays the groundwork for a fabulous series with her debut here. She has both a strong backstory and convincing development to keep the reader guessing and wanting to know more. Abby shows that she can juggle work and a home life, but it is her past that really has her tied in knots, something that inadvertently comes to the surface throughout. One can only wonder if this will be an ongoing issue as the series progresses, something that I cannot help but hope is the case. Omer closes the novel with an interesting cliffhanger related to Abby’s past and present, which is sure to make for great development in the coming stories.
While I have always come to know Mike Omer as a psychological powerhouse, he’s got some depth and varied nature to his writing. Omer makes an impact with this series debut, both from its strong narrative perspective as well as well-placed characters. He weaves them into the story effectively and keeps the reader wanting to know more. A child kidnapping works well and appears to tap into the large secret Abby wishes to keep, leaving Omer a lot of room to explore it over the next few novels. With some grittiness and just enough family connection, there is something about the debut that has me wanting to learn more in the coming months.
Kudos, Mr. Omer, for a great debut and curiously open-ended ending that will make for another great novel, when I get my hands on it.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Abby Mullen has enjoyed her time with the NYPD, working as a hostage negotiator. It seems to hep hone her skills for life at home, where she is a single mom to two and dealing with a whiny ex. However, she has a secret about which few know, which has always been something she prided herself on. All that is about to come crashing down on her.
After a young boy is kidnapped off the street, his mother, Eden Fletcher, approaches Abby for help. Eden was a survivor of the Wilcox cult, as was a young Abby. Eden is less secretive about their shared past and wonders if a more recent group with which she was involved could be part of the kidnapping plot. While Abby works to dig a little deeper, the $5 million ransom sought soon can be better understood, as Eden’s other child, a teenage girl, has quite the social media following.
While Abby vows never to return to the cult life, she probes within the membership of a new ‘Christian community’ to see if anyone might have nabbed the boy to punish Eden for leaving. All this opens old wounds and keeps Abby from being able to think clearly. All that being said, there is a boy who needs his family and Abby will not rest until that happens. Omer does well with this series debut and I am eager to get my hands on the next one.
Mike Omer knows how to add an eerieness to his writing like few others, which has always left me wanting to read his books as soon as I can. This new series is a little less psychological, but just as captivating and left me wanting to know more about Abby Mullen and those around her. With a strong plot and curious backstory, I am intrigued to see where things will head with this piece as the series progresses.
Abby Mullen lays the groundwork for a fabulous series with her debut here. She has both a strong backstory and convincing development to keep the reader guessing and wanting to know more. Abby shows that she can juggle work and a home life, but it is her past that really has her tied in knots, something that inadvertently comes to the surface throughout. One can only wonder if this will be an ongoing issue as the series progresses, something that I cannot help but hope is the case. Omer closes the novel with an interesting cliffhanger related to Abby’s past and present, which is sure to make for great development in the coming stories.
While I have always come to know Mike Omer as a psychological powerhouse, he’s got some depth and varied nature to his writing. Omer makes an impact with this series debut, both from its strong narrative perspective as well as well-placed characters. He weaves them into the story effectively and keeps the reader wanting to know more. A child kidnapping works well and appears to tap into the large secret Abby wishes to keep, leaving Omer a lot of room to explore it over the next few novels. With some grittiness and just enough family connection, there is something about the debut that has me wanting to learn more in the coming months.
Kudos, Mr. Omer, for a great debut and curiously open-ended ending that will make for another great novel, when I get my hands on it.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
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May 24, 2023
1.0-Star - DNF @ 35%
Despite high ratings, this was a totally uninteresting story, which seemed to be deteriorating further as I listened to it.
From My Reading Activity:
May 20, 2023 @ 12.0%:
Hmmm... Not looking too good so far...
Encouraged by over 1,000 4-Star & 5-Star ratings & reviews, I bought books #1 and #2 of this series. However, my mistake may have been that only two of my trusted group of friends/followed reviewed this book :(
May 21, 2023 @ 23.0% :
The narration is ok, but I think this story and it's dialogue are a bit corny. I am trying to give it a fair chance, but if it doesn't hit the spot by 30-35%, I'm done!"
May 23, 2023 @ 35.0%:
"I've had enough. For me, this book is going nowhere, so I will dnf at this point."
Despite high ratings, this was a totally uninteresting story, which seemed to be deteriorating further as I listened to it.
From My Reading Activity:
May 20, 2023 @ 12.0%:
Hmmm... Not looking too good so far...
Encouraged by over 1,000 4-Star & 5-Star ratings & reviews, I bought books #1 and #2 of this series. However, my mistake may have been that only two of my trusted group of friends/followed reviewed this book :(
May 21, 2023 @ 23.0% :
The narration is ok, but I think this story and it's dialogue are a bit corny. I am trying to give it a fair chance, but if it doesn't hit the spot by 30-35%, I'm done!"
May 23, 2023 @ 35.0%:
"I've had enough. For me, this book is going nowhere, so I will dnf at this point."
September 11, 2022
The first book in the series that introduces Lieutenant Abby Mullen. As a child she was one of the three survivors of the Wilcox cult. Today she is a hostage negotiation instructor for the NYPD, a divorcee and a mother of two.
Then one day Abby gets a call from Eden Fletcher, one of the other survivors of the Wilcox cult. The two haven’t spoken since the night of the fiery massacre. Now Eden needs Abby’s help. Someone has kidnapped her eight-year-old son, Nathan, and is demanding a $5 million ransom. Money Eden doesn't have. Abby agrees to help but can't help wonder why Eden was targeted and why such an outlandish ransom.
The story gives the reader some insight into cults. Something Abby understands all too well. But is that enough to save Nathan? The clock is ticking.
Eden also has a teenage daughter who is a Instagram Influencer. The story reveals a lot about social media, how much about themselves people reveal and the dangers when you let strangers in. To paraphrase the author nothing prepares you better for crisis management than having kids.
This was a suspenseful novel. Not great but good. When the identity of the kidnapper is revealed it was a surprise. There is another reveal at the end, a hook, that will leave the reader wondering about the third survivor of the Wilcox cult and Abby's past. What happened the night of the fiery massacre at the Wilcox compound?
Then one day Abby gets a call from Eden Fletcher, one of the other survivors of the Wilcox cult. The two haven’t spoken since the night of the fiery massacre. Now Eden needs Abby’s help. Someone has kidnapped her eight-year-old son, Nathan, and is demanding a $5 million ransom. Money Eden doesn't have. Abby agrees to help but can't help wonder why Eden was targeted and why such an outlandish ransom.
The story gives the reader some insight into cults. Something Abby understands all too well. But is that enough to save Nathan? The clock is ticking.
Eden also has a teenage daughter who is a Instagram Influencer. The story reveals a lot about social media, how much about themselves people reveal and the dangers when you let strangers in. To paraphrase the author nothing prepares you better for crisis management than having kids.
This was a suspenseful novel. Not great but good. When the identity of the kidnapper is revealed it was a surprise. There is another reveal at the end, a hook, that will leave the reader wondering about the third survivor of the Wilcox cult and Abby's past. What happened the night of the fiery massacre at the Wilcox compound?
April 21, 2025
Wreszcie nadarzyła się okazja, by powrócić do serii, którą rozpoczęłam kilka lat temu (od środkowego tomu, bo czemu nie 🤪). Fabułę dalszych losów policyjnej negocjatorki pamiętałam jak przez mgłę, ale wystarczyło zagłębić się w początek historii, by wszystko powróciło do mnie jak za dotknięciem magicznej różdżki. Tak, również zaangażowanie, poczucie solidnej rozrywki i tysiące możliwych scenariuszy do przeanalizowania - rozwiązanie zaproponowane przez tryb "Sherlock" (nie)stety chybione. Przymykając oko na dobór lektora, audiobook okazał się zacnym czasoumilaczem. Mike Omer zafundował mi tyle frajdy, że nie mam zamiaru zwlekać z poznaniem zakończenia całej trylogii.
November 17, 2022
5 stars
I love a good detective series.
First time reading this author and really liked this book.
Abby is hostage negotiator in NYC when a young boy is kidnapped leaving his school.
Turns out Abby knows his mother Eden.
They both escaped a a cult commune when they were younger as the commune was raided.
Both went to different foster homes and seen each other until now.
As Abby tries to find Edens son secrets start to be revealed.
This story has abit of a cliffhanger.
Definitely reading the second book.
I love a good detective series.
First time reading this author and really liked this book.
Abby is hostage negotiator in NYC when a young boy is kidnapped leaving his school.
Turns out Abby knows his mother Eden.
They both escaped a a cult commune when they were younger as the commune was raided.
Both went to different foster homes and seen each other until now.
As Abby tries to find Edens son secrets start to be revealed.
This story has abit of a cliffhanger.
Definitely reading the second book.
November 25, 2024
Abby Mullen, a police lieutenant, is very relatable: pretty but not gorgeous; smart but not arrogant; confident in certain situations but doubts herself in others; good mom but far from perfect; eats burgers, doesn't get enough sleep, and pretty much fails at having a work/life balance; passionate about a cause (saving people from cults - she grew up in one).
I rarely relate to female leads in novels, but I can relate to Abby and that's saying something.
Abby narrates the majority of the book, but we get a few other POVs, which were done well.
The mystery moved along at a good clip. The stuff about cults was chilling.
A couple loose threads were left dangling, namely what happened to the ransom money and was the wedding photographer ever exonerated by the police (I felt bad that he was ever blamed).
The final chapter ends on a question, expected for the first book in a mystery/thriller series.
I wish the romance element hadn't been introduced and am afraid it will take up too much page time in the second book.
I rarely relate to female leads in novels, but I can relate to Abby and that's saying something.
Abby narrates the majority of the book, but we get a few other POVs, which were done well.
The mystery moved along at a good clip. The stuff about cults was chilling.
A couple loose threads were left dangling, namely what happened to the ransom money and was the wedding photographer ever exonerated by the police (I felt bad that he was ever blamed).
The final chapter ends on a question, expected for the first book in a mystery/thriller series.
I wish the romance element hadn't been introduced and am afraid it will take up too much page time in the second book.
July 11, 2023
4/5⭐️
Autorius Mike Omer daugumai mūsų jau žinomas, tad jo knygos yra tikrai laukiamos. Nors tai ir nauja serija, bet tikrai tikėjausi, kad bus tokia pat nereali kaip ir ankstesnė.
Abė Malen dirba derybininke, yra pratusi prie sudėtingų stresinių situacijų, tad krizinės, nevaldomos situacijos jai žinomos. Tačiau grįžusi namo stengiasi būti mylinti ir rūpestinga mama.
Kad ir kaip bebūtų moteris slepia savo skaudžią vaikystę ir patirtus išgyvenimus po devyniais užraktais. Tačiau vieną dieną į ją kreipiasi Iden Flečer su pagalbos prašymu. Kažkas pagrobė jos sūnų, tad vienintelė viltis yra būtent Abė. Abė ir Iden priklausė Vilkokso religiniam kultui, o iš jo ištrūkus ryšiai buvo nutraukti daugybę metų. Deja Abei šį kart teks aiškintis bylą į kurią įsivėlęs kitas kultas ir kylantys prisiminimai vis labiau atvers senas žaizdas.
Iškart galiu nuteikti suktam proto žaismui. Kas kaip ir kodėl nebus aišku net iki paskutiniųjų puslapių, o ir užvertus knygą liks labai daug neatsakytų klausimų ir norėsis greičiau sulaukti tęsinio. Tačiau kad ir kaip bebūtų, vietomis man ši knyga atrodė nuobodoka, neišlaikydavo susidomėjimo, tekdavo daryti pertraukas. Tam tikrai momentais net pagrindinė veikėja buvo erzinanti. Knyga tikrai gera ir lengvai skaitoma, tačiau žinant ką autorius sugeba norėjosi iš šios dalies daugiau.
Autorius Mike Omer daugumai mūsų jau žinomas, tad jo knygos yra tikrai laukiamos. Nors tai ir nauja serija, bet tikrai tikėjausi, kad bus tokia pat nereali kaip ir ankstesnė.
Abė Malen dirba derybininke, yra pratusi prie sudėtingų stresinių situacijų, tad krizinės, nevaldomos situacijos jai žinomos. Tačiau grįžusi namo stengiasi būti mylinti ir rūpestinga mama.
Kad ir kaip bebūtų moteris slepia savo skaudžią vaikystę ir patirtus išgyvenimus po devyniais užraktais. Tačiau vieną dieną į ją kreipiasi Iden Flečer su pagalbos prašymu. Kažkas pagrobė jos sūnų, tad vienintelė viltis yra būtent Abė. Abė ir Iden priklausė Vilkokso religiniam kultui, o iš jo ištrūkus ryšiai buvo nutraukti daugybę metų. Deja Abei šį kart teks aiškintis bylą į kurią įsivėlęs kitas kultas ir kylantys prisiminimai vis labiau atvers senas žaizdas.
Iškart galiu nuteikti suktam proto žaismui. Kas kaip ir kodėl nebus aišku net iki paskutiniųjų puslapių, o ir užvertus knygą liks labai daug neatsakytų klausimų ir norėsis greičiau sulaukti tęsinio. Tačiau kad ir kaip bebūtų, vietomis man ši knyga atrodė nuobodoka, neišlaikydavo susidomėjimo, tekdavo daryti pertraukas. Tam tikrai momentais net pagrindinė veikėja buvo erzinanti. Knyga tikrai gera ir lengvai skaitoma, tačiau žinant ką autorius sugeba norėjosi iš šios dalies daugiau.
March 4, 2021
This was my Kindle First choice this month. I struggled to make a selection this time out as none really stood out for me. However, I got to 31% and I'd read enough. It just isn't for me. I never bother with stories based around cults and I did know this one had the ladies' pasts based in living in one but then it started heading to present-day ones as well and I glazed over. It just doesn't interest me in the least. I also wasn't a fan on the role-playing stuff she did with Will. I just found it all a little too daft for my liking. I reached a mention of something called cult-hopping and my interest sadly waned altogether.
The story also had shades of the Grant Amato case, I thought. Some weirdo obsessed with a tart on the internet. I did like the way Abby memorised people's names, as I do it in a similar way myself.
The only mistake I spotted was writing german and not German so I upped my "score" to 2* because of that. Nice to pick up a properly presented book these days in the digital form. It has a great cover as well but the content just isn't "my bag."
The story also had shades of the Grant Amato case, I thought. Some weirdo obsessed with a tart on the internet. I did like the way Abby memorised people's names, as I do it in a similar way myself.
The only mistake I spotted was writing german and not German so I upped my "score" to 2* because of that. Nice to pick up a properly presented book these days in the digital form. It has a great cover as well but the content just isn't "my bag."
April 27, 2021
Ну на таком клиффхангере закончить, а? И теперь еще год ждать. Могу ведь и не дожить! :)
July 13, 2023
Mike Omer vėl serviruoja puikią trilerių seriją - šį kartą pagrindinį vaidmenį atiduodamas Abei Malen - profesionaliai Niujorko policijos departamento derybininkei. Sulaukusi senos pažįstamos Iden skambučio, Abė nieko negalvodama prisideda prie jos sūnaus pagrobimo tyrimo.
Į knygą, autorius bandė sutalpinti daug skirtingų temų - instagramo šlovę, religinius kultus, pagrindinės veikėjos praeitį, pagrobimą ir puikiai išlaviravo - detalės lengvai ir gražiai susirišo, bei kėlė susidomėjimą iki pat pabaigos.
Nors viskas sukosi apie vaiko pagrobimą ir bandymą saugiai jį grąžinti namo, mane labiau domino pasakojimas apie jau minėtus religinius kultus. Smegenų plovimą, verbavimą, pasitraukusiųjų likimus ir bandymą dorotis su įgytomis psichologinėmis traumomis.
Skaitę kitą Mike Omer seriją apie Zoją Bentli, jau žino, kad autorius mėgsta knygos gale palikti staigmenų. Ši knyga ne išimtis - kabliukas toks, dėl kurio bus sunku laukti naujos serijos dalies. Tikiuosi, kad sulauksim greitai ir bus taip pat gerai, kaip ir "Mirtiname poveikyje"
Į knygą, autorius bandė sutalpinti daug skirtingų temų - instagramo šlovę, religinius kultus, pagrindinės veikėjos praeitį, pagrobimą ir puikiai išlaviravo - detalės lengvai ir gražiai susirišo, bei kėlė susidomėjimą iki pat pabaigos.
Nors viskas sukosi apie vaiko pagrobimą ir bandymą saugiai jį grąžinti namo, mane labiau domino pasakojimas apie jau minėtus religinius kultus. Smegenų plovimą, verbavimą, pasitraukusiųjų likimus ir bandymą dorotis su įgytomis psichologinėmis traumomis.
Skaitę kitą Mike Omer seriją apie Zoją Bentli, jau žino, kad autorius mėgsta knygos gale palikti staigmenų. Ši knyga ne išimtis - kabliukas toks, dėl kurio bus sunku laukti naujos serijos dalies. Tikiuosi, kad sulauksim greitai ir bus taip pat gerai, kaip ir "Mirtiname poveikyje"
September 1, 2025
Щось мені «щастить» останнім часом потрапити на книжки, які з пов'язані з релігією. З хрінового боку релігією. Книжка цікава, але мені не подобається, що детективи завжди(або здебільшого) роблять справи, якось пов'язані з головними персонажами, наприклад щось там з минулим, яке випливає в сьогоденні. І не подобаються коли кінець книжки, відкриває нові загадки, які потребують продовження в наступній історії, або в кінці серії.
August 16, 2024
3.5⭐
Hm... Turim vaiko pagrobimą, kelias žmogžudystes ir dar religinį kultą, kaip ir miksas geras, ir kaip ir turėtų būti įdomu versti tuos puslapius, bet kažkaip vietomis buvo neįdomu/nuobodu ir galvojau, ar pavyks mane nustebinti, pavyko tik su vaiko pagrobėjo tapatybe, net įtarimų nesukėlė, ir sakykim pabaiga, nes liko su dideliu klaustuku. Važiuojam toliau - apie kultą nieko naujo ir įdomaus nesužinojau; žmogžudystės tokios nesunkiai išnarpliojamos, vaiko pagrobimas - irgi maniau, bus kaip tiksinti bomba, bet kažkaip nerealiai iš motinos prašyt milijonų išpirkos, kai ji vos kelis tūkstančius sukrapštytų. Tai gerai dukra influencerė "padėjo" ir ką šiais laikais sugeba visagalis internetas - užtenka turėt kelias dešimtis tūkstančių sekėjų, įmeti post ir po kurio laiko tie 5 milijonai sakykim tavo kišenėje.Skamba gerai? Nerealiai.
Na ir pabaigai - leitenantė Abė- su praeities paslaptimis,viena iš trijų išgyvenusių aukų, dabar ji - policijos departamento derybininkė, išsiskyrusi dviejų vaikų mama,kuri atsiliepia į pagalbos šauksmą dėl dingusio berniuko,ir aiškinasi aplinkybes. Na man ji buvo kiek išaukštinta "super herojė", vos ne pagrindiniu smuiku griežia, nesukėlė didelių simpatijų.
Negaliu sakyt, kad knyga bloga, tokia per vidurį, bet tikėjausi daugiau iš Omer, nes kitos jo knygos tikrai patiko. Tai tiek.
Hm... Turim vaiko pagrobimą, kelias žmogžudystes ir dar religinį kultą, kaip ir miksas geras, ir kaip ir turėtų būti įdomu versti tuos puslapius, bet kažkaip vietomis buvo neįdomu/nuobodu ir galvojau, ar pavyks mane nustebinti, pavyko tik su vaiko pagrobėjo tapatybe, net įtarimų nesukėlė, ir sakykim pabaiga, nes liko su dideliu klaustuku. Važiuojam toliau - apie kultą nieko naujo ir įdomaus nesužinojau; žmogžudystės tokios nesunkiai išnarpliojamos, vaiko pagrobimas - irgi maniau, bus kaip tiksinti bomba, bet kažkaip nerealiai iš motinos prašyt milijonų išpirkos, kai ji vos kelis tūkstančius sukrapštytų. Tai gerai dukra influencerė "padėjo" ir ką šiais laikais sugeba visagalis internetas - užtenka turėt kelias dešimtis tūkstančių sekėjų, įmeti post ir po kurio laiko tie 5 milijonai sakykim tavo kišenėje.Skamba gerai? Nerealiai.
Na ir pabaigai - leitenantė Abė- su praeities paslaptimis,viena iš trijų išgyvenusių aukų, dabar ji - policijos departamento derybininkė, išsiskyrusi dviejų vaikų mama,kuri atsiliepia į pagalbos šauksmą dėl dingusio berniuko,ir aiškinasi aplinkybes. Na man ji buvo kiek išaukštinta "super herojė", vos ne pagrindiniu smuiku griežia, nesukėlė didelių simpatijų.
Negaliu sakyt, kad knyga bloga, tokia per vidurį, bet tikėjausi daugiau iš Omer, nes kitos jo knygos tikrai patiko. Tai tiek.
March 21, 2021
Wish I'd paid attention to the fact that this is one of at least two books in a possible series and this one is an Amazon First Read, so that means it hasn't been published yet, and it could be months before the second book is published. All of which would be fine if this one didn't end on a major cliffhanger. I have a pretty good guess as to what the answer is to the cliffhanger, but I really, really don't like it when books end in suspense like that. Chapters, fine, I know that's designed to keep me reading.
So, the book. Abby Mullen and her parents were part of a cult when Abby was young. When the police raided the cult, everyone was killed except Abby and two other children. Even though Abby was only seven years old at the time, she was the one who spoke with the hostage negotiator and she felt his calm demeanor made the experience much less traumatic for her than it might have been. So little Abby grows up to become a hostage negotiator herself, with a specialty of dealing with cult members and leaders.
When the son of Eden, one of the survivors of the cult Abby had been in, is kidnapped, Abby joins the team assigned to bring him back safely. Eden, along with her husband, had joined another cult as an adult, but Eden left the cult with her two children while her husband remained behind.
Since this book is told from Abby's point of view, there is some insight into cult behavior but that is not the focus. It is interesting to see how the memories of the three children who survived the first cult differ. The book is well-written and kept me reading long past my bedtime. That's all I'll say at the moment, except if you haven't already chosen your March First Read, you might want to consider this one. If you have, you might want to wait until the second book is published.
So, the book. Abby Mullen and her parents were part of a cult when Abby was young. When the police raided the cult, everyone was killed except Abby and two other children. Even though Abby was only seven years old at the time, she was the one who spoke with the hostage negotiator and she felt his calm demeanor made the experience much less traumatic for her than it might have been. So little Abby grows up to become a hostage negotiator herself, with a specialty of dealing with cult members and leaders.
When the son of Eden, one of the survivors of the cult Abby had been in, is kidnapped, Abby joins the team assigned to bring him back safely. Eden, along with her husband, had joined another cult as an adult, but Eden left the cult with her two children while her husband remained behind.
Since this book is told from Abby's point of view, there is some insight into cult behavior but that is not the focus. It is interesting to see how the memories of the three children who survived the first cult differ. The book is well-written and kept me reading long past my bedtime. That's all I'll say at the moment, except if you haven't already chosen your March First Read, you might want to consider this one. If you have, you might want to wait until the second book is published.
January 22, 2022
Free through Amazon Prime.
I rarely read the older books in a series when I've jumped in and read out of order. However, I liked the second book (Damaged Intentions) so much that I decided to take a chance on reading A Deadly Influence. I'm glad I did!
This book tells the story of Lt. Abby Mullen, an NYPD hostage negotiator, who receives a phone call from Eden Fletcher begging for help. Eden’s eight-year-old son, Nathan, has been kidnapped on the way home from his school bus stop by someone who demands a ransom of $5 million. It’s an impossible sum for his mother, a dental office assistant, to raise. Instructed to NOT call the police, Eden reaches out to Abby, with whom she shares a terrible secret: As children, Abby and Eden lived on a farm as part of a cult.
There were many interesting characters in this book and I was fascinated by Abby's negotiating techniques! Quite brilliant. And it was downright scary reading about Eden's daughter, who is an Instagram Influencer. People just don't realize how much about themselves they reveal.
And speaking of reveals, I totally didn't see the identity of the kidnapper coming. There was a small cliffhanger at the end of the book, but as cliffhangers go, it was rather minor. I don't think it will make anyone feel terribly frustrated. I recommend this series!
I rarely read the older books in a series when I've jumped in and read out of order. However, I liked the second book (Damaged Intentions) so much that I decided to take a chance on reading A Deadly Influence. I'm glad I did!
This book tells the story of Lt. Abby Mullen, an NYPD hostage negotiator, who receives a phone call from Eden Fletcher begging for help. Eden’s eight-year-old son, Nathan, has been kidnapped on the way home from his school bus stop by someone who demands a ransom of $5 million. It’s an impossible sum for his mother, a dental office assistant, to raise. Instructed to NOT call the police, Eden reaches out to Abby, with whom she shares a terrible secret: As children, Abby and Eden lived on a farm as part of a cult.
There were many interesting characters in this book and I was fascinated by Abby's negotiating techniques! Quite brilliant. And it was downright scary reading about Eden's daughter, who is an Instagram Influencer. People just don't realize how much about themselves they reveal.
And speaking of reveals, I totally didn't see the identity of the kidnapper coming. There was a small cliffhanger at the end of the book, but as cliffhangers go, it was rather minor. I don't think it will make anyone feel terribly frustrated. I recommend this series!
September 4, 2023
Niepokojący thriller kryminalny, który rozpoczyna nową serię z negocjatorką Abby Mullen w roli głównej.
Mike Omer ma talent do zbijania czytelnika z tropu. Pamiętam pierwszy tom Tajemnic Glenmore Park i sprawę mordercy, który wysyła zdjęcia swoim ofiarom – pierwsze sceny na długo wybiły mnie z rytmu i wciąż do mnie powracają do jakiś czas. Cykl z Abby Mullen znów pokazuje na co stać tego zdolnego autora. To kolejny thriller kryminalny spod jego pióra, który wywołuje prawdziwe dreszcze. Sprawa „Zgubnego wpływu” jest intrygująca, przyciąga uwagę, a charakterystyczna bohaterka sprawia, że chcemy kibicować jej do samego końca. I jesteśmy ciekawi, co wydarzy się dalej. Chociaż już teraz czuję, że dwa kolejne tomy trylogii nie obniżą wcale poprzeczki, a raczej podbiją ciśnienie czytelnikom. I o to przecież chodzi.
Mike Omer ma talent do zbijania czytelnika z tropu. Pamiętam pierwszy tom Tajemnic Glenmore Park i sprawę mordercy, który wysyła zdjęcia swoim ofiarom – pierwsze sceny na długo wybiły mnie z rytmu i wciąż do mnie powracają do jakiś czas. Cykl z Abby Mullen znów pokazuje na co stać tego zdolnego autora. To kolejny thriller kryminalny spod jego pióra, który wywołuje prawdziwe dreszcze. Sprawa „Zgubnego wpływu” jest intrygująca, przyciąga uwagę, a charakterystyczna bohaterka sprawia, że chcemy kibicować jej do samego końca. I jesteśmy ciekawi, co wydarzy się dalej. Chociaż już teraz czuję, że dwa kolejne tomy trylogii nie obniżą wcale poprzeczki, a raczej podbiją ciśnienie czytelnikom. I o to przecież chodzi.
April 2, 2021
Very well-written police procedural thriller, with the twist being that the investigating officer into a child's kidnapping was a survivor of a cult, adding another dimension to the story. The kidnapper is not revealed until nearly the end, and I did not guess the perpetrator's identity so the author did a good job keeping me guessing (and I can usually figure these out before the "big reveal"). There is another twist that I did see coming but won't say more about that. This book leans into the whole social media influencer thing as part of its plot, making it very relevant. Overall it kept me reading for hours on end, and did not disappoint at the end.
June 22, 2021
First of all, I cannot understand, how come Eden did not controlled better her daughter? After all, they were running from a cult!
Abbey Mullen, a crisis negotiator has to find Nathan, who was abducted and they are asking for lots of money.
Great suspense!
Thank you Netgalley for this book.
Abbey Mullen, a crisis negotiator has to find Nathan, who was abducted and they are asking for lots of money.
Great suspense!
Thank you Netgalley for this book.
April 4, 2021
A Deadly Influence was good but not as good as other novels i have read by the author. The novel felt dragged out and its length was unacceptable when compared to its content.
August 20, 2023
When Abby Mullen, hostage negotiation instructor, gets a phone call from a mom about a missing child, she feels compelled to help. Once she gets to the mom’s house, she finds that she knows her. They share a past made up of tragic events from a cult that they were both members of when they were children. After delving into the mysteries around the child’s disappearance, Abby finds that she might be dealing with another cult. Finding herself reliving the past, she uses what she knows to help navigate her way through the dealings with this new cult.
The book flows between the past and the present effortlessly. We see the struggles that the children went through in the past and how it actually helps Abby with the case in the present. The story also brings social media into the picture and shows how it can be entertaining but also dangerous.
It was a good story that had some endearing characters. While the book tied up this story, it did leave a tiny cliffhanger at the end. I feel the need to go to the next book just to see what is going on.
The book flows between the past and the present effortlessly. We see the struggles that the children went through in the past and how it actually helps Abby with the case in the present. The story also brings social media into the picture and shows how it can be entertaining but also dangerous.
It was a good story that had some endearing characters. While the book tied up this story, it did leave a tiny cliffhanger at the end. I feel the need to go to the next book just to see what is going on.
September 2, 2023
Somewhat predictable and I didn't enjoy the ending as much as I thought I would 🙃
April 11, 2021
'The way you wanted?” she repeated his words. It was the number one tool in any negotiator’s arsenal—mirroring. Repeat the subject’s words, demonstrate that you were listening, and make them elaborate more.'
Abby Mullen is a hostage negotiator and she's one of the best. She has a dark past from when she was 7 involving a cult. Which plays a huge part in who she is.
I found her to be a brilliant character, her past and present neatly tie up together to form a character that you love and want to know more about.
When an 8 year old boy is kidnapped, she is called by a woman called Eden. This Eden was also at the same cult when she was younger, the only person she wants to help was Abby.
'Of course, her fans didn’t know she wasn’t posting for them at all. Sure, they put bread on her table. But for more than a year, all her posts had been aimed only at him.'
Abby along with Carver investigate deep into yet another cult suspected of taking Nathan. All the while Eden's daughter seems to have a stalker.
Mike Omer has a way of creating characters that are intricately thought out and have huge amounts of depth.
This book was a fair amount longer than his usual work and did drag at times. This was no Zoe Bentley mystery but still a very very enjoyable read. Full of dark pasts and twists.
Highly recommend 4*
I'm very excited to read the next one in the series.
'Just hours ago, Nathan had paced this very sidewalk like he’d done dozens, if not hundreds, of times before. Following life’s motions. And then something had swept in and taken him. The illusion of safety shattered.'
Abby Mullen is a hostage negotiator and she's one of the best. She has a dark past from when she was 7 involving a cult. Which plays a huge part in who she is.
I found her to be a brilliant character, her past and present neatly tie up together to form a character that you love and want to know more about.
When an 8 year old boy is kidnapped, she is called by a woman called Eden. This Eden was also at the same cult when she was younger, the only person she wants to help was Abby.
'Of course, her fans didn’t know she wasn’t posting for them at all. Sure, they put bread on her table. But for more than a year, all her posts had been aimed only at him.'
Abby along with Carver investigate deep into yet another cult suspected of taking Nathan. All the while Eden's daughter seems to have a stalker.
Mike Omer has a way of creating characters that are intricately thought out and have huge amounts of depth.
This book was a fair amount longer than his usual work and did drag at times. This was no Zoe Bentley mystery but still a very very enjoyable read. Full of dark pasts and twists.
Highly recommend 4*
I'm very excited to read the next one in the series.
'Just hours ago, Nathan had paced this very sidewalk like he’d done dozens, if not hundreds, of times before. Following life’s motions. And then something had swept in and taken him. The illusion of safety shattered.'
April 16, 2022
This is a promising start of a new series with Lt. Abby Mullen as the Heroine. She is a hostage negotiator and a very good one at that, probably because of her personal experience as a hostage, when she was only 8 yrs old.
The characters, story telling and the plot are engaging. The details of how cults 'recruit' followers is terrifying. After reading the real horror stories of how young children are abused by such cults and godmen, I know these are not made up. I don't understand the concept of Influencers, I don't get how some Influencers mint millions doing nothing but just posting photoshopped Instagram stories. The author does a good job explaining this mindless phenomenon.
The book successfully explains the art of negotiation, which could be used in every day life, not just in hostage situations. Some negotiation tactics were good. But some- like repeating whatever the other person says to show empathy was overdone. I would get annoyed if someone I am talking to kept parroting me. I would find it insulting.
For me, the best book with a hostage negotiation plot was Jeffrey Deaver's A Maiden's Grave
The ending was satisfactory, with one open-ended question about Abby Mullen's past to lure the reader to read the next book. I am not complaining though, Mike Omer's writing is good and I intend to read the next one soon.
I am happy to start 2022 with a 5 * read 🙂 Thank you, Mike Omer !
The characters, story telling and the plot are engaging. The details of how cults 'recruit' followers is terrifying. After reading the real horror stories of how young children are abused by such cults and godmen, I know these are not made up. I don't understand the concept of Influencers, I don't get how some Influencers mint millions doing nothing but just posting photoshopped Instagram stories. The author does a good job explaining this mindless phenomenon.
The book successfully explains the art of negotiation, which could be used in every day life, not just in hostage situations. Some negotiation tactics were good. But some- like repeating whatever the other person says to show empathy was overdone. I would get annoyed if someone I am talking to kept parroting me. I would find it insulting.
For me, the best book with a hostage negotiation plot was Jeffrey Deaver's A Maiden's Grave
The ending was satisfactory, with one open-ended question about Abby Mullen's past to lure the reader to read the next book. I am not complaining though, Mike Omer's writing is good and I intend to read the next one soon.
I am happy to start 2022 with a 5 * read 🙂 Thank you, Mike Omer !
January 10, 2021
Omg what a book!!! Abby is a single mum, law enforcement agent the negotiator. She has to juggle her work, kids and of course the ex husband. She has a chilling past that she can’t let influence her job or her future, which becomes almost impossible when her past comes knocking. Abby is an amazing charter that grabbed me from the very first chapter too the very last word!! And the world and charters that are built around her are just as enthralling. Seeing the story from everyones prospective give the whole read
More depth and makes you really question how people see the world so differently (and there sanity). The story is totally original and kept me guessing all the way through I was so sure I had it but no as always with Mike Omer’s thrillers I was way off track. The story was full of heart stopping moment that will get your heart racing. An absolutely amazing read that yet again pushed the genre of thriller from amazing to extraordinary.. I can’t wait for book two.
More depth and makes you really question how people see the world so differently (and there sanity). The story is totally original and kept me guessing all the way through I was so sure I had it but no as always with Mike Omer’s thrillers I was way off track. The story was full of heart stopping moment that will get your heart racing. An absolutely amazing read that yet again pushed the genre of thriller from amazing to extraordinary.. I can’t wait for book two.
June 22, 2021
Keep Reading
I received this from Junes First Reads as a prerelease, thank you. Reading about the method of a negotiator for police departments in this book gave me insight to their psychological skills and I found it interesting. Reading about the cult involvement have a lot of insight on how they recruit members There is a lot of true insight to how social media can be dangerous when releasing personal information. That being said, as a work of fiction sometimes there are truths to be found in the real world.
The kidnapping of a young boy, the reason behind it, and a deranged man all led to a great story. Discovering who the true kidnapper was surprising , as the investigation pointed so directly on the most obvious person but was it him? You'll need to read to find out. The ending makes me wonder if there will be a follow up book.
I received this from Junes First Reads as a prerelease, thank you. Reading about the method of a negotiator for police departments in this book gave me insight to their psychological skills and I found it interesting. Reading about the cult involvement have a lot of insight on how they recruit members There is a lot of true insight to how social media can be dangerous when releasing personal information. That being said, as a work of fiction sometimes there are truths to be found in the real world.
The kidnapping of a young boy, the reason behind it, and a deranged man all led to a great story. Discovering who the true kidnapper was surprising , as the investigation pointed so directly on the most obvious person but was it him? You'll need to read to find out. The ending makes me wonder if there will be a follow up book.
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January 24, 2023Estreei-me há algumas semanas com a escrita do autor (Trilogia de Zoey Bentley) e, com "A deadly influence", tenho a garantia que Omer consegue criar tanto personagens como enredos que me agradam.
Desta vez decidi ler esta Trilogia intercalada com outros livros, pois (pode parecer estranho para algumas pessoas) acabou por ser custoso me despedir de Zoey e de Tatum após tantas horas seguidas na sua companhia (li os três volumes seguidos).
Neste primeiro volume desta série fiquei a conhecer um pouco sobre a Tenente Abby Mullen da NYPD. Habituada a trabalhar em situações extremas com negociação de reféns, esconde o seu próprio trauma: o de ter sido uma das poucas sobreviventes do Culto Wilcox quando era apenas uma criança. Esse acontecimento é revivido e recordado quando uma das outras sobreviventes, depois de anos sem contacto, lhe pede ajuda quando o filho é raptado.
Gostei bastante desta história. Acção e drama na dose certa. Pequenos detalhes que fizeram toda a importância no quadro geral. O caso do rapto da criança acabou por me surpreender em alguns aspectos, o que foi bastante agradável, se me é permitido dizer.
Achei interessante e, ao mesmo tempo, muito frustrante, conhecer as particularidades de viver num Culto. Ver o modo como esse facto altera vidas, percepções, crenças, ideias, prioridades, anula personalidades e vontades próprias... O modo como eventos do passado moldaram personagens da actualidade.
Foi cativante ver a forma como Abby tentava gerir e conciliar a sua vida familiar com a vida activa de uma mulher polícia.
Estou muito curiosa para continuar a acompanhar as investigações e ficar a saber mais sobre o passado de Abby nos próximos volumes da Trilogia.
Desta vez decidi ler esta Trilogia intercalada com outros livros, pois (pode parecer estranho para algumas pessoas) acabou por ser custoso me despedir de Zoey e de Tatum após tantas horas seguidas na sua companhia (li os três volumes seguidos).
Neste primeiro volume desta série fiquei a conhecer um pouco sobre a Tenente Abby Mullen da NYPD. Habituada a trabalhar em situações extremas com negociação de reféns, esconde o seu próprio trauma: o de ter sido uma das poucas sobreviventes do Culto Wilcox quando era apenas uma criança. Esse acontecimento é revivido e recordado quando uma das outras sobreviventes, depois de anos sem contacto, lhe pede ajuda quando o filho é raptado.
Gostei bastante desta história. Acção e drama na dose certa. Pequenos detalhes que fizeram toda a importância no quadro geral. O caso do rapto da criança acabou por me surpreender em alguns aspectos, o que foi bastante agradável, se me é permitido dizer.
Achei interessante e, ao mesmo tempo, muito frustrante, conhecer as particularidades de viver num Culto. Ver o modo como esse facto altera vidas, percepções, crenças, ideias, prioridades, anula personalidades e vontades próprias... O modo como eventos do passado moldaram personagens da actualidade.
Foi cativante ver a forma como Abby tentava gerir e conciliar a sua vida familiar com a vida activa de uma mulher polícia.
Estou muito curiosa para continuar a acompanhar as investigações e ficar a saber mais sobre o passado de Abby nos próximos volumes da Trilogia.
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