29 Seconds

29 Seconds is a slow starter with a considerable amount of time spent on setting the stage. In fact, I almost set this one aside as I kept waiting for Sarah to be presented with the choice that is described in the blurb. After a little more of the mundane than I thought absolutely necessary, we do eventually get there, and by this time the author has achieved the goal of making us really hate Hawthorne. The only problem is I didn't much like Sarah either. She comes across as weak and incapable of taking action against her despicable boss. But, yes, there is a but, take action, she does, in a moment of desperation? Exasperation? Infuriation? Whatever 'ation' she feels in that moment, it was enough to finally do something. This is where the story took a turn for the better for me. Sarah is still whiney to the point of tedium, but she does have reason for some of it. Anyone with a shred of morals would have at least had second thoughts. But the twists and the way things play out saved this one for me. I can usually see the twists coming, and there were a couple that didn't take me by surprise, but they were still done excellently. That said, there were also a couple of twists that snuck right up on me and had me sitting up in my chair and paying attention, and the conclusion was perfect for this crazy, twisted story. Looking back and thinking about it all, I would say this book really starts at almost halfway through, but from there, it has a steadily rising tension and explosive twists that kept those pages turning.

Twist and turns and lots of the unexpected. That's one thing I have noticed about this author's work she doesn't do what's expected. He sexually harassed and assaulted multiple women and nothing was done, the unfortunate plight of many women. For a woman who is ready to jump into harms way to protect someone else it takes her a bit before she jumps to her own. About the time I was really getting sick of her and her choices she does the unexpected. There are plenty of twist especially towards the end. The ending?!?! Well it's not a bad ending it just feels anticlimactic after the thrilling story is revealed. At the end she shows that she is more than what was expected and that 29 seconds is all it takes to take your control back. I love this author's style. She knows how to do an exciting read and pulls the twist and turns out making your mind spin.