Lisa Brackmann

This book is really 2 1/2 stars. This book got great reviews and the storyline had so much potential
Tourist get mixed up with cartels, the CIA, and other organizations while vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, how can it not be good?
I’ll tell you how
Lack of Talent in telling a story.
There was zero depth to any of the main characters in this book. They were usually stereotyped and always bland and boring. This reader had no sympathy for the main character Michelle who spends most of the book drinking wine, Margaritas, or tequila shots and can’t figure her way out of a paper bag. Or why crazy bad shit keeps happening to her. Because there was zero character development, when bad things happen to her I didn’t care.
The portrayal of the drug cartels and their behavior and business practices was totally laughable.
This book is a perfect: “I’m stuck in an airport for 6 hours with nothing to do” or a mindless beach read that requires zero concentration.… (mehr)

The beginning was a little slow for me. I was afraid I wouldn't get into the book but I kept on going. I hated being being drug into the story and not given any information - like Michelle, but i totally understand the Author's point - Brilliant! My heart did not "race" until the trunk and beating at the dump to which I was thoroughly excited to see who it was, why it happened, and what was to come next. The last few pages put me back on my toes as I was expecting a relaxing ending that Michelle was getting back to her old life only to be spun around and waiting again! The ending wasn't what i was expecting exactly, but I do like how its left to the reader to make everything alright or get all crazy that something else happened in/to that plane! I would still recommend the story to anyone who likes adventures.… (mehr)

Casey Cheng, an ambitious local news reporter in San Diego, California, and Sarah Price, a campaign worker for San Diego Congressman Matt Cason, alternate the narration in this timely political thriller. Both women are targets of white-nationalist misogynist trolls: Casey because she is Asian and visible, and Sarah because she gained unwanted notoriety in the past, from which she is trying to escape.

The neo-Nazi white supremacists featured in the book are of a piece; i.e., they are unsuccessful in life - whether in terms of education, work, or women. They are full of rage and, thanks to online forums, feel they have support and encouragement. Is that true to real life? Fortunately, I don’t actually know first-hand.

When the story begins, Casey is covering an active shooting, and gets injured. She wants to get back to work though, and decides to investigate the life of the dead shooter and perhaps gain insights into why he committed this horrific act.

Additional episodes of mass shootings follow, with politicos on the left - like Cason - in the crosshairs. Thus Casey and Sarah begin to interact as the ensuing violence brings them together.

There are a lot of issues covered in this thriller, from online bullying to gun rights to sexual harassment and violence. In addition, the “usual” issues of relationship conflicts absorb the characters as well. While all of the issues are plausibly connected in the story, the writing seems to be a bit heavy-handed and clunky at times. In addition, there are two plot threads running through the story that are totally left unresolved at the end. Is this supposed to be the first of a series? There is no indication of that. The author may be saying we just can’t know the answer to some things. Or she may have just decided she was done with the story. Either way, it leaves readers hanging, and left this reader, at least, unsatisfied.

Evaluation: For those who enjoy thrillers that take the headlines and spin them into even scarier scenarios, this book will fill the bill.… (mehr)