Library Journal
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Hidden secrets combined with a sense of duty spin Ryan Francis and his family into a nightmare in Bell's latest thriller (after Layover). Ryan has a secret he's kept for years, and only a couple of people know what happened that night. One of them is Blake Norton, so when Blake asks Ryan to break into a woman's house and retrieve an incriminating document, Ryan can't say no, especially since refusing could expose the truth to Ryan's wife. When he tries to fulfill the favor, Ryan stumbles upon a murder scene, and Blake has disappeared. Trying to find out what happened could destroy everything Ryan holds dear. Bell has crafted a compelling thriller that explores how trust and loyalty can be compromised. It is also an exceptional examination of the uncertain world of social media. The story appears straightforward at first, but as the pages fly by and readers become immersed in the characters, lies start to unravel, leading to the surprises that follow. VERDICT Bell nails the suburban niche in this absorbing work that fans of Harlan Coben will thoroughly enjoy. [See Prepub Alert, 11/25/19.]—Jeff Ayers, formerly with Seattle P.L.

Publishers Weekly
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One evening after work, happily married businessman Ryan Francis, the narrator of this tense if unsubtle thriller from Bell (Layover), runs into his best friend from college, Blake Norton, whom he hasn’t seen in some months. Blake, “Butch Cassidy crossed with Bluto from Animal House,” asks Ryan to break into his mistress’s house and retrieve certain items that could implicate him in the affair and wreck his forthcoming wedding. Ryan reluctantly agrees after Blake threatens to reveal the devastating secret Ryan has been hiding that could ruin everything he has worked so hard for. When Ryan breaks into the woman’s house he finds her dead. Then he gets a Facebook request on his phone from the dead woman. Has he been set up? He runs away when he hears police sirens. Bell keeps the twists coming, but unconvincing dialogue that too often telegraphs what’s going to happen next undercuts the suspense. Readers who don’t mind a high level of contrivance will best enjoy this action-driven effort. Agent: Laney Katz Becker, Massie & McQuilkin. (June)