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Monday, March 5, 2018

REVIEW: Closer Than You Know by Brad Parks @duttonbooks @brad_parks

Closer Than You Know
by Brad Parks

Thank you to Dutton Books for this copy in return for my honest opinion!
This domestic suspense/legal thriller is one you should add to your TBR!


Publisher:  Dutton Books
Publishing:  March 6, 2018
Kindle Edition
416 pages
Genre: Domestic Suspense, Thriller
Standalone

Goodreads Synopsis:

Disaster, Melanie Barrick was once told, is always closer than you know.

It was a lesson she learned the hard way growing up in the constant upheaval of foster care. But now that she's survived into adulthood--with a loving husband, a steady job, and a beautiful baby boy named Alex--she thought that turmoil was behind her.

Until one Monday evening when she goes to pick up Alex from childcare only to discover he's been removed by Social Services. And no one will say why. It's a terrifying scenario for any parent, but doubly so for Melanie, who knows the unintended horrors of what everyone coldly calls "the system."

Her nightmare mushrooms when she arrives home to learn her house has been raided by sheriff's deputies, who have found enough cocaine to send Melanie to prison for years. The evidence against her is overwhelming, and if Melanie can't prove her innocence, she'll lose Alex forever.

Meanwhile, assistant commonwealth's attorney Amy Kaye--who has been assigned Melanie's case--has her own troubles. She's been dogged by a cold case no one wants her to pursue: a serial rapist who has avoided detection by wearing a mask and whispering his commands. Over the years, he has victimized dozens of women.

Including Melanie. Yet now her attacker might be the key to her salvation . . . or her undoing.

My Review:


I found Brad Parks last year with his book, Say Nothing.  I LOVED IT.  See #CJSReads collective reviews HERE.  His second book, Closer Than You Know, is also a winner in my book. 

Let's talk about the characters for a moment.:There's a LOT going on in this book with Melanie's past, what's happening to her now, how they intersect and how the prosecuting attorney comes into play.  I'm not a mother so I can't imagine how hard it would be to have your child ripped away from you with no warning whatsoever.  I mean, Melanie's already been through enough - can't this woman get a break?  Then to have drug charges put on top of that while still dealing with an aftermath of a rape from a while ago... WOAH.  I really would've loved to have learned more about her husband - his part was too minor for the character he was given, but that's just my opinion.  I really enjoyed the lawyers - both defending and prosecuting and while we learned quite a bit about Amy, I would've loved to have seen more of Mr. Honeywell - I have a very special place in my heart for him.

Ok, so let's get to the book.  It's fast paced, easy to read and kept me glued to the pages all day today.  I'll admit I had it all figured out pretty early on.  Did this take away from the joy of the read? NOPE. Not at all.  I feel like you need to suspend a bit of reality about the happenings in these story lines... but that really didn't make a difference to me.  I mean, it's FICTION after all, right? 

Brad Parks has a fan in me and I will be on the look out for his upcoming work.  If you're looking for a part domestic suspense with a dash of legal thriller mixed in, I think it's safe to say you'll enjoy this read.  Put this one on your TBR.

★★★★

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