Title: The Accident
Author: Linwood Barclay
Publication Year: 2011
Publisher: Bantam
Edition: eBook/Kindle (and audio)
Source: Net Galley and Library
Setting: Connecticut
Date Completed: 12/23/2011
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: yes
The Accident is a fast paced thriller that drew me into the story from the very first chapter.
The story is set in the small town of Milford, Connecticut, where Glen Barber, his wife Sheila, and 8-year old daughter Kelly live. Glen is local building contractor, and because of the economy, his business is barely making it. Early on in the story, when Sheila is late returning home from an evening class she has been taking, Glen grows concerned. His concerns are warranted when he learns that Sheila has been killed in a car crash. However, upon investigation, Glen learns that Sheila, never attended class that evening, and was driving drunk. She parked her car on a highway ramp, and the car was hit by another with Sheila still inside. Nothing makes sense. Sheila was only a social drinker, and would have never driven drunk.
Not long after, one of Sheila's friends also ends up dead, then little Kelly, overhears a strange phone conversation while playing hide and seek at her friend's house. When the mother realizes Kelly witnessed the conversation she becomes highly concerned about a secret being exposed.
Could this have anything to do with Kelly's mom's accident? Bit by bit the reader learns that desperate people do desperate things, and even previously stable individuals can see their lives spiral out of control, when they engage in risky behaviors.
Although a bit far-fetched at times, The Accident, was a fast read and an engaging thriller.
I read the eBook and listened to the audio version. The audio was read by Peter Berkrot who did a great job.
This sounds like a pretty good read. And how difficult for a spouse to have to deal with all that stuff that is not only awful but doesn't make sense!
ReplyDeleteI love Barclay's books. I have this one but haven't gotten around to it yet. I'm glad to hear it's a goodie.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that you mostly liked this one, and that it was a good read for you. Sometimes I am willing to suspend disbelief if the story is good enough, and it sounds like this one might be...Great review today!
ReplyDeleteOh, this one is going on my list! I love the sound of it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
That sounds like a page turner to me!!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I love thrillers and sometimes I hate them. Is this one too far fetched, I wonder? Perhaps I should try it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review!
I had this on my nook, but it expired before I got to it. I'll have to check it out again.
ReplyDeleteSounds pretty interesting, I might need to check this one out! I like how you read the e-book and listened to the audio, which means you definitely know how good or not good this book is! Merry Christmas, Diane, and have a safe and Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI've never read anything by this author but maybe I'll add one of his books to my audiobook queue.
ReplyDeleteI love thrillers and this sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteDiane, this sounds like a thrilling thriller. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteSounds intriguing. Thanks for posting this informative review. Have more happy reads in the coming New Year, Diane. To you and yours, a Happy 2012!
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I always find that thrillers become a bit far fetched at times. Otherwise I think the storylines would all be the same.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge fan of the author, but I may give this one a go sometime.
Thanks for the review.
i like the sound of this book! i've read a couple of barclay's books before and really loved one while not liking the other too much so i think i'll have to give this one a shot.
ReplyDeleteI read Barclay several years ago and loved the book and for some reason haven't read him since! I hate when I lose track of an author like that. Gld this one is good.
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