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Deadly Games #1
The String
Welcome to the string, a game of impossible decisions and deadly consequences. Let's go over the ground rules.
Rule #1: Participation is mandatory.
Rule #2: If anyone refuses to play, all threats will come to pass.
Game on.
Get ready for a deadly social experiment as a sociopath known as The Conductor delivers disturbing threats and twisted moral dilemmas to unsuspecting students and staff.
As a powerful instinct for self-preservation sweeps through the campus, one man has a grave decision to make. Will university cop Markus Haas play the game to protect those he loves? Or will he break the string and incite massive chaos--and even death?
In the great suspense tradition of Ted Dekker and Steven James, Caleb Breakey's explosive debut novel will have you turning pages into the night.
Rule #1: Participation is mandatory.
Rule #2: If anyone refuses to play, all threats will come to pass.
Game on.
Get ready for a deadly social experiment as a sociopath known as The Conductor delivers disturbing threats and twisted moral dilemmas to unsuspecting students and staff.
As a powerful instinct for self-preservation sweeps through the campus, one man has a grave decision to make. Will university cop Markus Haas play the game to protect those he loves? Or will he break the string and incite massive chaos--and even death?
In the great suspense tradition of Ted Dekker and Steven James, Caleb Breakey's explosive debut novel will have you turning pages into the night.
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 16, 2019
43 people are currently reading
2484 people want to read
About the author
Caleb Breakey
13 books46 followersCaleb Breakey is the CEO of Speak It To Book, the premier ghostwriting agency for influencers, thought leaders, and industry celebrities. He is an ECPA Award finalist and a winner of the prestigious Genesis Contest for fiction writers, and he loves exploring truth through story. He writes in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and enjoys visits from a mischievous mini husky and a smiley Shiba Inu.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
August 2, 2019
The synopsis of this book made me so excited. This definitely sounded like my kind of story. Unfortunately, this one didn't quite hit the mark for me.
The story started out very promising...the first few chapters had me extremely intrigued and the plot is very interesting and unique. I was enjoying it until about the middle of the book and then I started to become confused with the amount of characters and all of the various "knots" in the string. It became difficult for me to follow and I also began to lose interest and felt that it was a bit long.
The content is clean and I definitely think we need more clean or Christian thrillers out there. There was violence but it wasn't descriptive.
Overall, this was an average thriller. I enjoyed it for the most part but I don't feel that it will be memorable.
I received this book from the publisher to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The story started out very promising...the first few chapters had me extremely intrigued and the plot is very interesting and unique. I was enjoying it until about the middle of the book and then I started to become confused with the amount of characters and all of the various "knots" in the string. It became difficult for me to follow and I also began to lose interest and felt that it was a bit long.
The content is clean and I definitely think we need more clean or Christian thrillers out there. There was violence but it wasn't descriptive.
Overall, this was an average thriller. I enjoyed it for the most part but I don't feel that it will be memorable.
I received this book from the publisher to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 2, 2019
Wow. I just finished The String and it was outstanding. Completely exceeded my expectations. I didn't even know about this book until I saw the review opportunity and once I read the description, I knew I had to read it. I'm a huge fan of Steven James' thrillers and The String reminded so much of his books -- which is the highest compliment I can give a thriller. ;)
The book starts off right away with action. The beginning scene was so scary and left me needing to know what was going on. I kept feeling like the story HAD to be almost done (because nothing more could happen), but then another twist would happen and then I'd realize why there was so much left to read.
I thought the characters were realistic and the story was written very well. I was never bored and couldn't read fast enough. The ending was crazy and I NEED the next book right now!
I highly recommend The String to fans of thrillers.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
The book starts off right away with action. The beginning scene was so scary and left me needing to know what was going on. I kept feeling like the story HAD to be almost done (because nothing more could happen), but then another twist would happen and then I'd realize why there was so much left to read.
I thought the characters were realistic and the story was written very well. I was never bored and couldn't read fast enough. The ending was crazy and I NEED the next book right now!
I highly recommend The String to fans of thrillers.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
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May 24, 2020
dnf
May 24, 2025DNFd at 20% because I was bored
First person
First person
January 16, 2022
This book starts with a punch, with a bang as we meet our serial killer known as The Conductor. He is giving a woman named Janet a dangerous choice. Do what he says or he will kill her dog and her sister. We soon learn that this killer has what he calls his puppets who are pieces on a string and if they don't do what he says - the consequences can be dangerous and people get hurt and the others prior suffer the same thing as when a string gets knotted it has to be cut off at the knot and started again. For the string to work, everyone has to play their part and follow the rules. The latest person on the string is Markus Haas. Markus isn't one to stand by and see anybody get hurt as he is all about standing up and doing what is right. Markus holds quite a high ethic level and if anyone can solve this and bring it to an end it is Markus. However, can Markus follow the clues or will his heart and brain be torn with his decisions when they start hitting and hurting the ones, he loves the most? When you are pushed to the point and told to choose - them or yourself? Who do you choose? It is human instinct to choose ourselves over others and the String will prove just how selfish humans can be when it comes to the crunch and that we do live in a dog-eat-dog world.
This was a really good romantic suspense and I am now looking at seeing if I can source the next book in the series as it ended with a new person and an ooooh moment.
This was a really good romantic suspense and I am now looking at seeing if I can source the next book in the series as it ended with a new person and an ooooh moment.
June 14, 2019
A sociopath who calls himself The Conductor is running a deadly "string" of a social experiment on a university campus. A university cop, Markus Haas, has to decide whether to play along to protect his loved ones or to go after The Conductor and risk more lives being lost in The String by author Caleb Breakey.
Okay. Maybe I read too much and have seen too many ruthless villains to have enough patience when it seems like characters spend a bit too much time in disbelief over an evil person, asking the disguised evil person questions he's obviously not going to answer ("Who are you?") or pleading with the evil person or making demands of him ("Stop it!") as if he's going to listen. I suppose it's just human nature, but a little of that in this book, along with my wondering if The Conductor would basically be a knock-off of the Joker, gave me some reservations.
Nevertheless, the more I got invested in the characters, the more my reservations didn't matter.
What I like most about a core group of characters trapped in the string is that they don't spend all or most of the time panicking and then just stumbling into solutions. They're thinking people who choose to be proactive, and it's not because they've all had law enforcement or combat training. Even a few of the key female characters who could've easily been the helpless or hysterical damsels in distress throughout a hero's tale are instead rational women who've got grit.
While, yes, this novel is rather gruesome, it's not a basic "shoot 'em up and catch the bad guy" story with a neat and tidy ending. It's psychological warfare with spiritual impact. And if you let the central message really hit you (as it hit me), then you'll likely begin to anticipate the next book in the Deadly Games series.
__________
Revell provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
Okay. Maybe I read too much and have seen too many ruthless villains to have enough patience when it seems like characters spend a bit too much time in disbelief over an evil person, asking the disguised evil person questions he's obviously not going to answer ("Who are you?") or pleading with the evil person or making demands of him ("Stop it!") as if he's going to listen. I suppose it's just human nature, but a little of that in this book, along with my wondering if The Conductor would basically be a knock-off of the Joker, gave me some reservations.
Nevertheless, the more I got invested in the characters, the more my reservations didn't matter.
What I like most about a core group of characters trapped in the string is that they don't spend all or most of the time panicking and then just stumbling into solutions. They're thinking people who choose to be proactive, and it's not because they've all had law enforcement or combat training. Even a few of the key female characters who could've easily been the helpless or hysterical damsels in distress throughout a hero's tale are instead rational women who've got grit.
While, yes, this novel is rather gruesome, it's not a basic "shoot 'em up and catch the bad guy" story with a neat and tidy ending. It's psychological warfare with spiritual impact. And if you let the central message really hit you (as it hit me), then you'll likely begin to anticipate the next book in the Deadly Games series.
__________
Revell provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
August 6, 2019
Stunning new thriller from debut fiction author Caleb Breakey!
I wasn't sure what to expect from The String. I had read one non-fiction book of Caleb's before so I knew he could write, but that doesn't always translate to fiction. The String, however, proved that wrong.
The String follows the twisting path of several characters all wound together in a complex web of blackmail, motivation, and deception led by The Conductor. I found the idea intriguing, to be sure, and quite a bit creepy. But, along those same lines, I also had to suspend belief quite a bit for this to 'work' in my mind. Caleb does a good job at making it appear possible, but still the spectrum of woven threads that made the story work are rather complex and almost a bit unbelievable at times.
The only other 'issue' (if you can even call it that) with the book that I had was the various, multiple POVs. I think the author does a really good job of handling the jumping, but it did take a bit to get used to this. In addition, some different "persons" (aka: first person, third etc) were incorporated and while that is fun it can sometimes be a bit distracting at first. Not really a con, just more of a noticeable thing.
As a psychological thriller written in the Christian market, I was surprised at the violent content (though not descriptive) but I see how it served a purpose. I actually applaud the author and the publisher for tackling this genre with a fresh perceive and one that could stand up in the general market to an extent. The Christian content, while subtle, is well done (in my humble opinion) and I like how it was incorporated in a natural way.
I definitely recommend this to those who love thrillers and a bit of horror (though I wouldn't really categorize this book as that). I think you'll find a fresh new voice in Caleb Breakey and that fun bit of "creepy" that he adds to this book! If you are at all squeamish or easily scared, I'd suggest reading during the day ;-)
My rating: between a 4 and 4.5 stars
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I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.
I wasn't sure what to expect from The String. I had read one non-fiction book of Caleb's before so I knew he could write, but that doesn't always translate to fiction. The String, however, proved that wrong.
The String follows the twisting path of several characters all wound together in a complex web of blackmail, motivation, and deception led by The Conductor. I found the idea intriguing, to be sure, and quite a bit creepy. But, along those same lines, I also had to suspend belief quite a bit for this to 'work' in my mind. Caleb does a good job at making it appear possible, but still the spectrum of woven threads that made the story work are rather complex and almost a bit unbelievable at times.
The only other 'issue' (if you can even call it that) with the book that I had was the various, multiple POVs. I think the author does a really good job of handling the jumping, but it did take a bit to get used to this. In addition, some different "persons" (aka: first person, third etc) were incorporated and while that is fun it can sometimes be a bit distracting at first. Not really a con, just more of a noticeable thing.
As a psychological thriller written in the Christian market, I was surprised at the violent content (though not descriptive) but I see how it served a purpose. I actually applaud the author and the publisher for tackling this genre with a fresh perceive and one that could stand up in the general market to an extent. The Christian content, while subtle, is well done (in my humble opinion) and I like how it was incorporated in a natural way.
I definitely recommend this to those who love thrillers and a bit of horror (though I wouldn't really categorize this book as that). I think you'll find a fresh new voice in Caleb Breakey and that fun bit of "creepy" that he adds to this book! If you are at all squeamish or easily scared, I'd suggest reading during the day ;-)
My rating: between a 4 and 4.5 stars
------
I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.
July 28, 2019
Wowzer! What an unputdownable thrill ride!
I always love to try out an author's debut novel, though of course I'm never quite sure what to expect, but I was instantly intrigued by the description of this one and jumped at the chance to request a review copy. And I am SOOOO glad I did! By the time I finished chapter 2 I knew I was going to love this book, and love it I did! Markus, the main character was fantastic, I loved his protectiveness and strong desire to help people, he was also so sweet with his girlfriend's daughters, definitely daddy material! This book totally had me on the edge of my seat and kept me flipping pages at lightning speed, which I loved! I also loved that there was even a tad bit of romance in this story, as well as a pinch of humor at just the right moments. I especially loved the last chapter!
If you, like me, are a fan of Steven James then this is one intense thriller in a similar vein that you'll devour and will leave you begging for more books from Caleb Breakey.
I loved everything about this book and could not stop reading! The String is the best thriller I've read in a long time and I am eagerly anticipating this author's next book!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK! But, you might not want to read it at night or when you're home alone! ;)
I received a copy of this book from the publisher which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
I always love to try out an author's debut novel, though of course I'm never quite sure what to expect, but I was instantly intrigued by the description of this one and jumped at the chance to request a review copy. And I am SOOOO glad I did! By the time I finished chapter 2 I knew I was going to love this book, and love it I did! Markus, the main character was fantastic, I loved his protectiveness and strong desire to help people, he was also so sweet with his girlfriend's daughters, definitely daddy material! This book totally had me on the edge of my seat and kept me flipping pages at lightning speed, which I loved! I also loved that there was even a tad bit of romance in this story, as well as a pinch of humor at just the right moments. I especially loved the last chapter!
If you, like me, are a fan of Steven James then this is one intense thriller in a similar vein that you'll devour and will leave you begging for more books from Caleb Breakey.
I loved everything about this book and could not stop reading! The String is the best thriller I've read in a long time and I am eagerly anticipating this author's next book!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK! But, you might not want to read it at night or when you're home alone! ;)
I received a copy of this book from the publisher which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
June 27, 2019
A strange man has created a group of people that he uses to involve more people and work towards an unknown end. Markus Haas has been “recruited,” but he aims to stop the man and break The String.
I was intrigued by the description of the book, and once I started reading it, I didn’t want to stop. The characters, action, and plot all came together and made for a great read, one that keeps you reading because you don’t want to wait to see what will happen next.
The descriptions of people are subdued, and most of the characters seem like people you’d meet everyday. Their personalities are gradually revealed, so you get to learn more about them as the story progresses. As they face problems, you get an opportunity to wonder what you’d do if you were in their shoes. Though being in their exact situation isn’t something you want to think about, you do start looking at how you would react if someone tried to coerce you.
I really enjoyed this book. Though I wanted to find out how it would turn out, I didn’t want it to end. I hope that there is more like it on the way.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I was intrigued by the description of the book, and once I started reading it, I didn’t want to stop. The characters, action, and plot all came together and made for a great read, one that keeps you reading because you don’t want to wait to see what will happen next.
The descriptions of people are subdued, and most of the characters seem like people you’d meet everyday. Their personalities are gradually revealed, so you get to learn more about them as the story progresses. As they face problems, you get an opportunity to wonder what you’d do if you were in their shoes. Though being in their exact situation isn’t something you want to think about, you do start looking at how you would react if someone tried to coerce you.
I really enjoyed this book. Though I wanted to find out how it would turn out, I didn’t want it to end. I hope that there is more like it on the way.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 24, 2021
Wowww, was that a ride!! RTC
March 18, 2020
Just when I was expecting a fresh and exciting novel, this book comes into my hands. It has exceeded my expectations, more than I imagined. I am not sure if I can wait for to the next chapter of this story.
September 12, 2019
Expertly crafted with pulse-pounding scenes and a tension that ratchets up with each new chapter, Caleb Breakey's novel "The String" is one that lovers of suspense will find frighteningly good. I made the mistake of reading the novel in the dark of the night from start to finish because I simply couldn't put it down, and found myself constantly looking over my shoulder as my own house creaked around me and made me jump!
The conductor is quite the villain, one you love to strongly dislike, and you never quite know who you can trust. Because of this, The String is one of those books that will keep you guessing and glued to the edge of your seat as you race along with Markus to stop the conductor from harming those he cares about. The odd thing though is that while at the beginning of the book I thought that the conductor is just creepy and I couldn't wait for him to come to justice, by the end I'd developed a sympathy for this twisted soul because of the experiences he'd been through and I wasn't sure anymore how I was hoping things would play out. It was a reminder to me that nothing is ever as black or white as we may initially believe. The only thing I didn't love about this novel is that, while things are resolved to a degree, in one sense we are left hanging, and I can't find any information on the publisher's website as to whether there is more in store for Markus and crew! I supposed I'll have to practice using patience and hope that Caleb Breakey has another novel in mind.
As a reader who absolutely loves suspense novels, I can confidently say I've found another author to watch in Caleb Breakey. The String was an excellent novel and I award it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
The conductor is quite the villain, one you love to strongly dislike, and you never quite know who you can trust. Because of this, The String is one of those books that will keep you guessing and glued to the edge of your seat as you race along with Markus to stop the conductor from harming those he cares about. The odd thing though is that while at the beginning of the book I thought that the conductor is just creepy and I couldn't wait for him to come to justice, by the end I'd developed a sympathy for this twisted soul because of the experiences he'd been through and I wasn't sure anymore how I was hoping things would play out. It was a reminder to me that nothing is ever as black or white as we may initially believe. The only thing I didn't love about this novel is that, while things are resolved to a degree, in one sense we are left hanging, and I can't find any information on the publisher's website as to whether there is more in store for Markus and crew! I supposed I'll have to practice using patience and hope that Caleb Breakey has another novel in mind.
As a reader who absolutely loves suspense novels, I can confidently say I've found another author to watch in Caleb Breakey. The String was an excellent novel and I award it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
November 9, 2019
4.5 stars
Whew! My goodness. Quite the bloodbath, but what a compelling, complex mystery. Certainly not for everyone as it's very violent. But that's sort of to be expected when you're dealing with a psychopathic murderer.
More detailed review: http://www.bookwormbanquet.com/2019/1...
Whew! My goodness. Quite the bloodbath, but what a compelling, complex mystery. Certainly not for everyone as it's very violent. But that's sort of to be expected when you're dealing with a psychopathic murderer.
More detailed review: http://www.bookwormbanquet.com/2019/1...
August 3, 2019
I grabbed a copy of this book because of the concept of the book. I was ready for an intense, psychological thriller. In the beginning I was feeling this book.
So, here is the deal about this book and my reading experience. There were so many characters introduced so fast that I had a hard time keeping them all straight. Also, some had minor parts and others major parts. By the time I figured it out, some characters were already dead. Thus not giving me much chance to really get to know any one person in particular.
In addition, the story seemed to go all over the place. Booping from one place to the next; leaving more questions than answers. While, I did like this book, I just felt that it could have been more grounded on just a few characters. Overall, I thought this was a good book but there was room for improvement.
So, here is the deal about this book and my reading experience. There were so many characters introduced so fast that I had a hard time keeping them all straight. Also, some had minor parts and others major parts. By the time I figured it out, some characters were already dead. Thus not giving me much chance to really get to know any one person in particular.
In addition, the story seemed to go all over the place. Booping from one place to the next; leaving more questions than answers. While, I did like this book, I just felt that it could have been more grounded on just a few characters. Overall, I thought this was a good book but there was room for improvement.
July 25, 2019
“Life and death - we think of these as destinations, but they’re not....they’re NOT. They’re choices. And you have a choice to make.”
I must confess that I was first drawn to the book by the blurb and James Rubart’s endorsement for this debut thriller from Caleb Breakey. And, indeed, this book is one electrifying, intricately plotted, fast-paced psychological thriller that is like a masterpiece of art emerging through a fog to reveal its true beauty once the fog is cleared away. There are quite a few secondary characters that play vital roles in the plot who provide third person narratives and one real main character named Markus Haas who speaks in first person narrative. The jumps between narratives take a bit of getting used to, but, once the story starts rolling, it isn’t difficult to switch from Markus’ thoughts to those around him. It is definitely a book that is difficult to put down, since the “conductor” seems always two steps ahead of Markus and the breadth of the conductor’s reach seems almost too great for Markus to overcome. With each chapter, more of those controlled by the conductor are introduced and the reader, along with our hero Markus, is left wondering why the conductor is performing these heinous acts and what the finale will be. The ending is a burst of revelation that will leave you shocked and re-reading previous chapters to find the clues you may have missed. Faith element is not overt but a steady presence in the plot that allows Markus to truly see himself as he wages war against evil.
I am looking forward to the next book this author will release. The ending of this book is like the end credit teasers for the Avengers movies....you know it’ll be bigger when the sequel comes out.
I received a copy of the book from Baker Publishing Group through Interviews and Reviews and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
I must confess that I was first drawn to the book by the blurb and James Rubart’s endorsement for this debut thriller from Caleb Breakey. And, indeed, this book is one electrifying, intricately plotted, fast-paced psychological thriller that is like a masterpiece of art emerging through a fog to reveal its true beauty once the fog is cleared away. There are quite a few secondary characters that play vital roles in the plot who provide third person narratives and one real main character named Markus Haas who speaks in first person narrative. The jumps between narratives take a bit of getting used to, but, once the story starts rolling, it isn’t difficult to switch from Markus’ thoughts to those around him. It is definitely a book that is difficult to put down, since the “conductor” seems always two steps ahead of Markus and the breadth of the conductor’s reach seems almost too great for Markus to overcome. With each chapter, more of those controlled by the conductor are introduced and the reader, along with our hero Markus, is left wondering why the conductor is performing these heinous acts and what the finale will be. The ending is a burst of revelation that will leave you shocked and re-reading previous chapters to find the clues you may have missed. Faith element is not overt but a steady presence in the plot that allows Markus to truly see himself as he wages war against evil.
I am looking forward to the next book this author will release. The ending of this book is like the end credit teasers for the Avengers movies....you know it’ll be bigger when the sequel comes out.
I received a copy of the book from Baker Publishing Group through Interviews and Reviews and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
July 31, 2019
I enjoy reading novels by new authors. Breakey isn't new to the Christian market, having authored at least two books previously, but they were non-fiction. His first was Called to Stay: An Uncompromising Mission to Save Your Church, which I read... and I think reviewed.
The book description doesn't tell much, but it was enough to grab my interest, along with wanting to see what kind of novel Breakey could write.
A little more description: A bad dude finds a way to watch and control several people on a university campus. And then he tries to control young university cop Markus Haas. If you want to know how that turns out, read the book......
This book has been described as a thriller, as opposed to mystery/suspense. Those aspects are in the story also, but it is definitely a thriller. Honestly: the book is genius. The plot was awesome, not to overuse that word. The author came up with some great characters and wove them and the action together in a way that really made the story pull you in and make you not want to leave. It is definitely not a predicable book. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something would happen unexpected. And when the guilty party was revealed....I never saw that coming.
Markus Haas was the main character, and a very likable one at that, determined to protect his girlfriend and her two little girls at any cost, and determined not to be a puppet for a madman. The book is a little more intense than a lot of suspense novels on the Christian market, but it still has a message of faith and God being in control. I enjoyed the book a lot, and it looks like this is the first book in a series, so hopefully there are more to come. It His debut novel is a definite 5 star book.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
The book description doesn't tell much, but it was enough to grab my interest, along with wanting to see what kind of novel Breakey could write.
A little more description: A bad dude finds a way to watch and control several people on a university campus. And then he tries to control young university cop Markus Haas. If you want to know how that turns out, read the book......
This book has been described as a thriller, as opposed to mystery/suspense. Those aspects are in the story also, but it is definitely a thriller. Honestly: the book is genius. The plot was awesome, not to overuse that word. The author came up with some great characters and wove them and the action together in a way that really made the story pull you in and make you not want to leave. It is definitely not a predicable book. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something would happen unexpected. And when the guilty party was revealed....I never saw that coming.
Markus Haas was the main character, and a very likable one at that, determined to protect his girlfriend and her two little girls at any cost, and determined not to be a puppet for a madman. The book is a little more intense than a lot of suspense novels on the Christian market, but it still has a message of faith and God being in control. I enjoyed the book a lot, and it looks like this is the first book in a series, so hopefully there are more to come. It His debut novel is a definite 5 star book.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
July 24, 2019
Well, I’m not saying I’ve found a new insta-buy author. But I’m not not saying that either.
As far as Christian mystery and suspense goes, I give it a roaring two thumbs up. The psychopath is truly evil, but not full-blown Hannibal Lecter. He’s a mastermind evil-doer who knows exactly which buttons to push to get his players to do his bidding.
Markus, of course, is the star of the show. But also a loose end who keeps running through my head. Why did the conductor pick him? The things he asked of Markus could have been done quite easily by someone already under the conductor’s rule. Several times the conductor implicates Markus as a giant, like something he must conquer. Almost as if, if he can get Markus to bend, then no one will ever stand a chance. I suppose that’s enough, but for some reason I wanted it to be more personal than that.
Second favorite character, Cody. Don’t mess with a man on a mission.
The alternating viewpoints kept the plot fresh and gave keen insight into all the rotating characters without giving a thread away as for who the conductor was. I had no clue. I felt as blind as Markus despite spending some time in the conductor’s head through a few chapters.
I’m excited for the rest of the series, and there are several raveled threads I can’t wait to see get burned off.
I requested a copy of this book from Revell Reads. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
As far as Christian mystery and suspense goes, I give it a roaring two thumbs up. The psychopath is truly evil, but not full-blown Hannibal Lecter. He’s a mastermind evil-doer who knows exactly which buttons to push to get his players to do his bidding.
Markus, of course, is the star of the show. But also a loose end who keeps running through my head. Why did the conductor pick him? The things he asked of Markus could have been done quite easily by someone already under the conductor’s rule. Several times the conductor implicates Markus as a giant, like something he must conquer. Almost as if, if he can get Markus to bend, then no one will ever stand a chance. I suppose that’s enough, but for some reason I wanted it to be more personal than that.
Second favorite character, Cody. Don’t mess with a man on a mission.
The alternating viewpoints kept the plot fresh and gave keen insight into all the rotating characters without giving a thread away as for who the conductor was. I had no clue. I felt as blind as Markus despite spending some time in the conductor’s head through a few chapters.
I’m excited for the rest of the series, and there are several raveled threads I can’t wait to see get burned off.
I requested a copy of this book from Revell Reads. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
July 23, 2019
This is a mind-blowing read, and once a few pages are turned your hooked, and even when the last page is turned, you realize that more is about to happen.
How would you like to receive this memo?
Rule #1: Participation is mandatory.
Rule #2: If anyone refuses to play, all threats will come to pass.
Game on.
Yes, this is how it begins, and you can’t even imagine how it is played out. Most I never saw coming, and surprises abound here, and don’t rule anyone out.
Most of all who will survive to the end? A lot don’t make it, and they tried playing by the rules, the rules of a sociopath, and evil is sure raising its ugly head here.
I received this book through Revell Blogger Program, and was not required to give a positive review
How would you like to receive this memo?
Rule #1: Participation is mandatory.
Rule #2: If anyone refuses to play, all threats will come to pass.
Game on.
Yes, this is how it begins, and you can’t even imagine how it is played out. Most I never saw coming, and surprises abound here, and don’t rule anyone out.
Most of all who will survive to the end? A lot don’t make it, and they tried playing by the rules, the rules of a sociopath, and evil is sure raising its ugly head here.
I received this book through Revell Blogger Program, and was not required to give a positive review
July 20, 2019
The String
by Caleb Breakey
Revell
Christian
Pub Date 16 Jul 2019
I am reviewing a copy of The String through Revell and Netgalley:
The String is a game of decisions that are impossible to make, and deadly consequences. Participation is not optional it is mandatory and if any one refuses to play, the threats will come to pass.
The String is a deadly social experiment as a Sociopath called The Conductor, delivers disturbing threats and twisted Moral dilemma’s to unsuspecting students and staff.
As the instinct for self preservation sweeps through the campus, one man must make a grave decision. Will Markus Haas, the university cop play the game to protect his loved ones. Or will he break The String and on-site horrible chaos, and even death.
I found The String to be a powerful novel, full of intrigue and suspense, a novel that draws you in from the first word to the last.
Five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
by Caleb Breakey
Revell
Christian
Pub Date 16 Jul 2019
I am reviewing a copy of The String through Revell and Netgalley:
The String is a game of decisions that are impossible to make, and deadly consequences. Participation is not optional it is mandatory and if any one refuses to play, the threats will come to pass.
The String is a deadly social experiment as a Sociopath called The Conductor, delivers disturbing threats and twisted Moral dilemma’s to unsuspecting students and staff.
As the instinct for self preservation sweeps through the campus, one man must make a grave decision. Will Markus Haas, the university cop play the game to protect his loved ones. Or will he break The String and on-site horrible chaos, and even death.
I found The String to be a powerful novel, full of intrigue and suspense, a novel that draws you in from the first word to the last.
Five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
July 9, 2019
This book strongly appealed to me based on the description of it, and it absolutely did not disappoint. I became very hooked on reading it right from the beginning and enjoyed the ride all the way until the end. I look forward to reading any more books that come along in what is supposed to be a new series.
I won an Advanced Review Copy of this book via LibraryThings Early Reviewers program.
I won an Advanced Review Copy of this book via LibraryThings Early Reviewers program.
October 6, 2019
This is AWESOME! One of my favorites of this year. Can’t wait or the next book!
July 26, 2019
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program in exchange for an honest review. (Read review at your own risk--it may contain spoilers).
At the start of the book, I wasn't sure I'd get into this book. If I hadn't agreed to read and review it for LTER, I might have put it down and not picked it up again--but I'm glad I didn't. As the story moved to the part involving Markus Haas, I found myself drawn in.
Markus gets drawn in to the web of a sociopath who calls himself "The Conductor". The Conductor manipulates and blackmails others into doing things for him so that he can enact a grand plan. I have to admit that I'm still not sure if the plan was to gain revenge or just to get the high of breaking the wills of strong people or a little of both.
But it just goes to show that there's a skeleton in every one's closet if you look hard enough--a skeleton that most people don't want revealed and will go to great lengths to prevent it from coming out.
Markus is an interesting character. He worked for the FBI but kept his job as university security when he fell in love with Stephanie.
At the start of the book, I wasn't sure I'd get into this book. If I hadn't agreed to read and review it for LTER, I might have put it down and not picked it up again--but I'm glad I didn't. As the story moved to the part involving Markus Haas, I found myself drawn in.
Markus gets drawn in to the web of a sociopath who calls himself "The Conductor". The Conductor manipulates and blackmails others into doing things for him so that he can enact a grand plan. I have to admit that I'm still not sure if the plan was to gain revenge or just to get the high of breaking the wills of strong people or a little of both.
But it just goes to show that there's a skeleton in every one's closet if you look hard enough--a skeleton that most people don't want revealed and will go to great lengths to prevent it from coming out.
Markus is an interesting character. He worked for the FBI but kept his job as university security when he fell in love with Stephanie.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2019
“The String” by Caleb Breakey was an intense read! I read that this book was in the great suspense tradition of Ted Dekker and Steven James. That is exactly true! I have read books by both of those authors, and this book reminded me a lot of those other books. In other words, I really enjoyed this read. I couldn’t wait to see who was controlling “The String”, and I had no idea who it was.
I loved the way this book wasn’t like the typical suspense I usually read. There is a madman/woman who calls himself The Conductor. He sends really disturbing threats and tries to get others to do what he wants them to. He calls it controlling “The String”. It is a race against the clock to try to find out who he/she is and stop them!
I definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good, clean, thriller. I don’t think you will be disappointed.
I received this book from the publisher for my honest opinion.
I loved the way this book wasn’t like the typical suspense I usually read. There is a madman/woman who calls himself The Conductor. He sends really disturbing threats and tries to get others to do what he wants them to. He calls it controlling “The String”. It is a race against the clock to try to find out who he/she is and stop them!
I definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good, clean, thriller. I don’t think you will be disappointed.
I received this book from the publisher for my honest opinion.
August 4, 2019
I have to start off by saying that I did not finish this book. Due to the nature of this review, I will be writing a pros and cons list.
Pros:
the idea - the storyline sounded super interesting
the writing - the style was great and well-written
Cons:
the characters - this is where I became very confused. Each chapter would go to a different character without saying who it was going too. I eventually figured it out, but only after I was confused and reread the chapter.
the action - again, very confusing. I tried to follow it to the best of my ability, even rereading most of the book. Despite rereading, I ended up even more confused than before.
Rating: 1 Star
Content: --
*I received a complementary copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
Pros:
the idea - the storyline sounded super interesting
the writing - the style was great and well-written
Cons:
the characters - this is where I became very confused. Each chapter would go to a different character without saying who it was going too. I eventually figured it out, but only after I was confused and reread the chapter.
the action - again, very confusing. I tried to follow it to the best of my ability, even rereading most of the book. Despite rereading, I ended up even more confused than before.
Rating: 1 Star
Content: --
*I received a complementary copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
March 29, 2019
If this is any indication of Caleb’s writing we are all in for a treat. Good creep factor to it. You find yourself wondering what in your life the conductor would hold you hostage with. Can’t wait for his next one.
July 23, 2019
I've been wanting to read a page-turner in the suspense/thriller genre for awhile (with the caveat that it be a "clean" read, which is hard to find), so this book caught my eye in the list of Revell releases up for review this month . . . and it definitely caught, and held, my attention while reading it, too. The String (Deadly Games #1) is a new thriller (what I would consider psychological thriller) by Caleb Breakey, the founder and CEO of two ghostwriting agencies for faith-filled thought leaders and a writer who loves exploring truth through story.
The String explores good and evil, self-sacrifice and self-preservation, and the human will and emotion, but on a more basic level, overall it is well written, fast paced, and gripping. (There is some violence, but it was not overly graphic and not at all gratuitous.) The story is told primarily from the first-person point of view of Markus Haas, who gets tangled in "the string," a web of people ("knots") who are coerced into acting as puppets by an evil, elusive villain who masks his identity and calls himself the conductor. As Haas realizes just how many people are actually involved and that the conductor will use not only fear and emotional manipulation but also violence, even death, to control the knots in the string, Haas vows to find the conductor before he hurts or kills more innocent victims. There are many additional protagonists, including other knots who end up working together with Haas, as well as his coworker and girlfriend, all of which also contribute to the story through third-person point of view. While these various characters' viewpoints helped advance the plot quickly, I'm still trying to decide if they broke up the story a little too much (some had just one or two chapters from his/her point of view), as well as took away from potentially connecting more closely with the main character (or a few). I was much more disappointed that (in my opinion) there wasn't a true twist at all in the plot, the conductor's identity was unrealistic and unbelievable (in terms of who was masterminding such a complex scheme), and also that the conductor's motive and also a few other "mysteries" weren't explained thoroughly (even if there are subsequent books to come in this Deadly Games series).
All in all, The String was hard for me to put down (and satisfied my random recent interest in reading a clean thriller). While I personally would have loved "more" from a literary perspective (a good twist, a more likely antagonist, etc.), I will be watching for more books by Caleb Breakey in the future, anticipating solid writing and a captivating, edgier (yet clean) story.
Disclaimer: This book was received for free from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest review. Note as with all reviews and references, I do not necessarily agree with (or am even aware of) any or all of the beliefs, views, etc. of the author; please read my disclaimer here.
The String explores good and evil, self-sacrifice and self-preservation, and the human will and emotion, but on a more basic level, overall it is well written, fast paced, and gripping. (There is some violence, but it was not overly graphic and not at all gratuitous.) The story is told primarily from the first-person point of view of Markus Haas, who gets tangled in "the string," a web of people ("knots") who are coerced into acting as puppets by an evil, elusive villain who masks his identity and calls himself the conductor. As Haas realizes just how many people are actually involved and that the conductor will use not only fear and emotional manipulation but also violence, even death, to control the knots in the string, Haas vows to find the conductor before he hurts or kills more innocent victims. There are many additional protagonists, including other knots who end up working together with Haas, as well as his coworker and girlfriend, all of which also contribute to the story through third-person point of view. While these various characters' viewpoints helped advance the plot quickly, I'm still trying to decide if they broke up the story a little too much (some had just one or two chapters from his/her point of view), as well as took away from potentially connecting more closely with the main character (or a few). I was much more disappointed that (in my opinion) there wasn't a true twist at all in the plot, the conductor's identity was unrealistic and unbelievable (in terms of who was masterminding such a complex scheme), and also that the conductor's motive and also a few other "mysteries" weren't explained thoroughly (even if there are subsequent books to come in this Deadly Games series).
All in all, The String was hard for me to put down (and satisfied my random recent interest in reading a clean thriller). While I personally would have loved "more" from a literary perspective (a good twist, a more likely antagonist, etc.), I will be watching for more books by Caleb Breakey in the future, anticipating solid writing and a captivating, edgier (yet clean) story.
Disclaimer: This book was received for free from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest review. Note as with all reviews and references, I do not necessarily agree with (or am even aware of) any or all of the beliefs, views, etc. of the author; please read my disclaimer here.
July 21, 2019
Well, folks, if you've wondered who will take up the mantle of the likes of Ted Dekker or Frank Peretti, the answer is here: Caleb Breakey. I will say that "The String" is similar to the more difficult books of those two authors, with heavy subject matter, some gore and lots of action that will give you heart palpitations.
Markus Haas is a university cop who dreams of more. He's on par with the local SWAT team, but never fully embraced as one of them. A few years back, Markus helped break up a sex ring operating on campus, earning himself some recognition, but not much respect. He works his job, does what he has to and has made a living for himself getting to know the students and campus he serves. He has found love with Stephanie, a woman who has escaped an abusive marriage, along with her daughters, who think the world of Markus.
But Markus will not be able to remain the stable, quiet lawman for long. A sociopath calling himself The Conductor begins to lay the foundation for his master plan, with Markus placed squarely in the middle. Once he detonates a bomb on campus, the terrifying nature of The Conductor's strategy is set in motion, and Markus finds himself unaware of just how many people it involves.
As The Conductor communicates through text messages, tablets that are delivered by messengers who are blackmailed into helping, as well as phone calls, Markus begins to realize he will have to work harder than ever to unravel the web that's been spun. But what will the cost be to those around him? To Stephanie and the girls? To his future?
The book runs at a frenetic pace, keeping the reader enthralled and repeating "Just one more page!" I absolutely loved the story, characters and the sense of urgency that I got each time I opened the book. I will say that this book can be graphic due to the nature of the sociopath involved and the fact that the villian is extremely intelligent, covering all his angles, no matter the cost. If you're interested in books or television related to criminals and their behaviors, such as "Criminal Minds" or "CSI," this book would be right up your alley. I recall feeling as though there were times I read Dekker or Peretti and was aghast at some of the behaviors of the antagonists, and "The String" was familiar in that respect. There are very clear demarkations of who is the villian and who are the heroes by the final page--even some I didn't expect.
The faith journeys of the characters are mismatched, as Stephanie is more advanced in her faith than Markus, but it leaves room for his growth throughout the challenges they face together. I understand this book is the start of a series (YAY!) and am interested to see Markus's development in the coming stories ahead. That's probably the only suggestion I could add. The book was well written, action packed and hard to put down, which I believe are the hallmarks of a great author.
Kudos, Mr. Breakey--I can't wait for the next installment of the books! I read an early review copy, thanks to #LibraryThing, Revell Books and Baker Publishing. I chose to leave a review and all opinions are my own. If you miss out on this one, it's your fault!
Markus Haas is a university cop who dreams of more. He's on par with the local SWAT team, but never fully embraced as one of them. A few years back, Markus helped break up a sex ring operating on campus, earning himself some recognition, but not much respect. He works his job, does what he has to and has made a living for himself getting to know the students and campus he serves. He has found love with Stephanie, a woman who has escaped an abusive marriage, along with her daughters, who think the world of Markus.
But Markus will not be able to remain the stable, quiet lawman for long. A sociopath calling himself The Conductor begins to lay the foundation for his master plan, with Markus placed squarely in the middle. Once he detonates a bomb on campus, the terrifying nature of The Conductor's strategy is set in motion, and Markus finds himself unaware of just how many people it involves.
As The Conductor communicates through text messages, tablets that are delivered by messengers who are blackmailed into helping, as well as phone calls, Markus begins to realize he will have to work harder than ever to unravel the web that's been spun. But what will the cost be to those around him? To Stephanie and the girls? To his future?
The book runs at a frenetic pace, keeping the reader enthralled and repeating "Just one more page!" I absolutely loved the story, characters and the sense of urgency that I got each time I opened the book. I will say that this book can be graphic due to the nature of the sociopath involved and the fact that the villian is extremely intelligent, covering all his angles, no matter the cost. If you're interested in books or television related to criminals and their behaviors, such as "Criminal Minds" or "CSI," this book would be right up your alley. I recall feeling as though there were times I read Dekker or Peretti and was aghast at some of the behaviors of the antagonists, and "The String" was familiar in that respect. There are very clear demarkations of who is the villian and who are the heroes by the final page--even some I didn't expect.
The faith journeys of the characters are mismatched, as Stephanie is more advanced in her faith than Markus, but it leaves room for his growth throughout the challenges they face together. I understand this book is the start of a series (YAY!) and am interested to see Markus's development in the coming stories ahead. That's probably the only suggestion I could add. The book was well written, action packed and hard to put down, which I believe are the hallmarks of a great author.
Kudos, Mr. Breakey--I can't wait for the next installment of the books! I read an early review copy, thanks to #LibraryThing, Revell Books and Baker Publishing. I chose to leave a review and all opinions are my own. If you miss out on this one, it's your fault!
July 21, 2019
** “Welcome to the string. Participation is mandatory. And refusal will ensure a dear price is paid.”
**
Caleb Breakey’s “The String” is a heart-thumping, non-stop psychological thriller that keeps the reader guessing until the very end. It is the very stuff nightmares are made of.
Markus Haas finds his job as a university cop a bit dull, but enjoys his time with the local SWAT team. He also is falling more and more in love with Stephanie and her two daughters. Life is overall pretty good — until he gets pulled into the Conductor’s schemes.
The Conductor has set out to wreak havoc on the Trenton University community, seeking revenge for past wrongs done to him. Developing a string of pawns, he uses fear, manipulation and threats to get people to do his deadly deeds. Dodging many deadly situations, Markus, along with his county sheriff detective buddy Cody, struggles to unmask the Conductor and the intent behind his deadly game.
Will the “knots” on the Conductor’s string work toward destroying each other, or will they come together to end the Conductor’s reign of evil?
Breakey has come up with an incredible storyline. He creates flawed characters that you can’t help but root for. And the Conductor — with his creepy voice and caked-on white makeup covered face — is straight from a horror film.
“The String” is a tale that will skip to our deepest fears and regrets, yet offers a glimmer of hope in a world of darkness. It reminds us that “fear loves to hide, hates to be known. But it’s got a weakness, a stench to it,” and therefore we can conquer and overcome it.
It also gently reminds us to turn to God for his strength in times of fear and desperation.
I’m really hoping Breakey releases a sequel to “The String.” How it ended, I’m guessing there might be.
Fans of TV shows like “Criminal Minds” and authors like Ted Dekker will love “The String.”
Five stars out of five.
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review.
**
Caleb Breakey’s “The String” is a heart-thumping, non-stop psychological thriller that keeps the reader guessing until the very end. It is the very stuff nightmares are made of.
Markus Haas finds his job as a university cop a bit dull, but enjoys his time with the local SWAT team. He also is falling more and more in love with Stephanie and her two daughters. Life is overall pretty good — until he gets pulled into the Conductor’s schemes.
The Conductor has set out to wreak havoc on the Trenton University community, seeking revenge for past wrongs done to him. Developing a string of pawns, he uses fear, manipulation and threats to get people to do his deadly deeds. Dodging many deadly situations, Markus, along with his county sheriff detective buddy Cody, struggles to unmask the Conductor and the intent behind his deadly game.
Will the “knots” on the Conductor’s string work toward destroying each other, or will they come together to end the Conductor’s reign of evil?
Breakey has come up with an incredible storyline. He creates flawed characters that you can’t help but root for. And the Conductor — with his creepy voice and caked-on white makeup covered face — is straight from a horror film.
“The String” is a tale that will skip to our deepest fears and regrets, yet offers a glimmer of hope in a world of darkness. It reminds us that “fear loves to hide, hates to be known. But it’s got a weakness, a stench to it,” and therefore we can conquer and overcome it.
It also gently reminds us to turn to God for his strength in times of fear and desperation.
I’m really hoping Breakey releases a sequel to “The String.” How it ended, I’m guessing there might be.
Fans of TV shows like “Criminal Minds” and authors like Ted Dekker will love “The String.”
Five stars out of five.
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review.
July 23, 2019
“I am your conductor. And that’s what you will call me,” the sinister puppetmaster dictates to his strings in Caleb Breakey’s novel, The String.
~ What ~
The first in the Deadly Games series, this three-hundred-and-twenty-page paperback targets those interested in contemporary Christian suspense. With no profanity, topics of physical and mental abuse, dying, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes acknowledgments and the writer’s biography with advertisements.
In this dark drama that is sometimes written in first person, Mark Haas has kept his past hidden from his girlfriend while being a university cop. But when he is sequestered to be one of the strings in a murderous plot designed by a person who knows all about him and others, many are forced to make choices of who lives or dies. With fear driving normal people to madness, the one in control leverages and toys with the will of unsuspected participants who all have hidden sins.
~ Why ~
This fast-paced read has a devious character who seems to always be one step ahead of those he has chosen and punishes for anyone who causes a knot in his plans. The story moves quickly along while the reader is pulled into the symphony of choice versus will, evil versus morals, and right versus wrong. I liked the protagonist’s determination and fortitude to search and destroy his enemy at any cost.
~ Why Not ~
Those who do not like stories of torture, murder, and twisted minds will not appreciate this book that involves a person who wants to control others. Some may not like the disturbing beginning or the graphic video depictions.
~ Wish ~
Although I liked the author’s writing style, I thought the ending was rushed and the unveiling of the conductor a bit unrealistic. I wish all pronouns of God were capitalized for reverence. It would be ideal if the eternal plan of salvation were added.
~ Want ~
If you like a disturbing read of a person who would do anything to anyone to be in control, this one will keep you up at night, but it may not be for those who prefer innocuous, cushy, romantic suspense.
Thanks to Revell for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.
~ What ~
The first in the Deadly Games series, this three-hundred-and-twenty-page paperback targets those interested in contemporary Christian suspense. With no profanity, topics of physical and mental abuse, dying, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes acknowledgments and the writer’s biography with advertisements.
In this dark drama that is sometimes written in first person, Mark Haas has kept his past hidden from his girlfriend while being a university cop. But when he is sequestered to be one of the strings in a murderous plot designed by a person who knows all about him and others, many are forced to make choices of who lives or dies. With fear driving normal people to madness, the one in control leverages and toys with the will of unsuspected participants who all have hidden sins.
~ Why ~
This fast-paced read has a devious character who seems to always be one step ahead of those he has chosen and punishes for anyone who causes a knot in his plans. The story moves quickly along while the reader is pulled into the symphony of choice versus will, evil versus morals, and right versus wrong. I liked the protagonist’s determination and fortitude to search and destroy his enemy at any cost.
~ Why Not ~
Those who do not like stories of torture, murder, and twisted minds will not appreciate this book that involves a person who wants to control others. Some may not like the disturbing beginning or the graphic video depictions.
~ Wish ~
Although I liked the author’s writing style, I thought the ending was rushed and the unveiling of the conductor a bit unrealistic. I wish all pronouns of God were capitalized for reverence. It would be ideal if the eternal plan of salvation were added.
~ Want ~
If you like a disturbing read of a person who would do anything to anyone to be in control, this one will keep you up at night, but it may not be for those who prefer innocuous, cushy, romantic suspense.
Thanks to Revell for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.
August 5, 2020
3.5 stars
I really wanted to love this book. This is only the second Christian suspense that I read. The first one, really missed the mark for me, as I felt it was a little silly and not that thrilling. So I had read the excerpt before picking up this one, and I thought the plot line was really in interesting.
At first, I really liked the story. I was intrigued and it really had me on the edge of my seat, wondering how everything would play out. Unfortunately though, as it was mentioned in other reviews, the story seems to drag on about halfway through the book. The pace did pick back a little towards the end, but even the last few chapters seemed to drag on for me.
There are also other elements I didn't like in the book. First, I felt there were way to many people involved in the String. At one point, it was really hard for me to keep track of everyone, especially when they only made short appearances. It might just be because I'm a slow reader... This might not be an issue for other people. But I still feel like the number of people involved was a little unrealistic. Actually, the fact that this guy was able to pull off such an intricate plot seemed pretty impossible and I honestly doubt some of the "knots" actions and reactions. I know the characters were put into impossible situations, but still I feel more of them would have tried to put an end to it instead for blindly following the Conductor's lead and committing multiple horrible crimes along the way.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book. It did not affect my review.
I really wanted to love this book. This is only the second Christian suspense that I read. The first one, really missed the mark for me, as I felt it was a little silly and not that thrilling. So I had read the excerpt before picking up this one, and I thought the plot line was really in interesting.
At first, I really liked the story. I was intrigued and it really had me on the edge of my seat, wondering how everything would play out. Unfortunately though, as it was mentioned in other reviews, the story seems to drag on about halfway through the book. The pace did pick back a little towards the end, but even the last few chapters seemed to drag on for me.
There are also other elements I didn't like in the book. First, I felt there were way to many people involved in the String. At one point, it was really hard for me to keep track of everyone, especially when they only made short appearances. It might just be because I'm a slow reader... This might not be an issue for other people. But I still feel like the number of people involved was a little unrealistic. Actually, the fact that this guy was able to pull off such an intricate plot seemed pretty impossible and I honestly doubt some of the "knots" actions and reactions. I know the characters were put into impossible situations, but still I feel more of them would have tried to put an end to it instead for blindly following the Conductor's lead and committing multiple horrible crimes along the way.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book. It did not affect my review.
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