Bridget is a super fan of R.M. Haldon's series, Sword and Shadows. She's been hired as his research assistant to assure continuity across the series, despite her young age. Bridget's life has been lonely and sad since the death of her mother. Her dad is gone all the time for work. When she and Ajay, another student at her high school, connect it's a good thing in both of their lives. She hasn't heard from Bob (the author) for awhile and for good reason, he's been kidnapped and forced into writing the last book of the series which fans have been waiting for for years. There's definitely a Misery component here as well as more than a passing nod to George R.R. Martin. Bob's coded message to Bridget helps her realize there is something wrong, but her attempts to help are disbelieved and put her in a heck of a lot of danger too. ( )

I found the premise of this book far more humorous than I think the author intended. That said I wasnt really feeling the tension, not all that thrilling, but I did enjoy reading it. ( )

Fascinating and fun book with some great twists and turns as well as the expected teen drama folded in.

I’ll admit I read this as if it were a fanfic of what George RR Martin’s fans think about in praying he finishes his Game of Thrones series. It’s much better than that and more positive in its emotions and outcomes. ( )

Slow start but great ending. Not a fan of the audiobook - the narrator sounded like an older woman and not a teen. ( )

With amazing smoothness and weaving, this tale places tension high and keeps the reader wondering how it will all work out by the end.

Bridget has been a fan of a famous author since she was eight, and by a wonderful chance, she even has become his assistant and offers advice on the details he's built into his series. Unfortunately, he's suffering from writer's block, and millions of fans have been waiting for the last novel in his series for over three years. When he suddenly goes missing, nobody seems to notice. Not even Bridget until she receives a very strange email.

Every moment and every step is very well laid out in this mystery. I'm not always a fan of those stories, where the reader already knows who the kidnapper is, what their motive is, and even where they are hiding their victim, but this author makes it work and more. Every step of the way, the characters are left open, allowing the reader to know exactly what they are thinking and why. It makes each one personal and more realistic...even when their logic is flawed.

Bridget is a character to root for from beginning to end. She's got a very good head on her shoulders, tons of heart, and is willing to do what she needs to. She has some difficulties from her past to overcome, but it doesn't make her weak. I also appreciated the warm relationship with her father. While there is a bit of romance hinted at...maybe, it's more of a forming friendship and doesn't go anywhere from there. So, that was refreshing, too.

The tension in this one builds slowly and remains high until the end. There is a little bit of violence and a slightly gruesome accident scene, but none of this is over the top. Everything is done open for the reader to see and know, and it's the expectation of Bridget, hopefully, figuring things out, which make this one so entertaining and grabbing. I especially enjoyed the way the villains grow and change, as it adds depth and unexpected twists.

It was no problem to read this one in a single sitting, and I, luckily, didn't have to put it down until I'd read all the way from the beginning to the end. I received a complimentary copy and read it in one, exciting sitting. ( )