
Closer Than You Know
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Emily Rankin
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By:
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Brad Parks
About this listen
Brad Parks delivers another riveting, emotionally powerful stand-alone domestic suspense thriller perfect for fans of The Couple Next Door and What She Knew.
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 Tuesday 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.
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Critic reviews
A Kirkus Best Book of 2018: “Parks dishes out another irresistible descent into hell.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)
“Parks has produced a gripping story, masterfully drawn.” (Oprah.com, Editor’s Pick)
“Another winning tale of domestic suspense from the Shamus- and Nero Award-winning author Parks, who knows how to get readers to empathize emotionally with his characters while amping up the tension and suspense from the first page.” (Library Journal, starred review)
Well, I didn’t expect that!!
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Get it
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Good entertainment, but not believable
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Kept Me Guessing
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This book..really really liked it
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Plot twist is off the hook.
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Dives in, then slows down and picks up steam
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The publisher's summary gives a great description to this book. To say any more would give away the story. What you don't get from this is the nail biting, heart racing anger and frustration the mother (Melanie Barrick) must have been feeling when she finds her son was removed by social services from his daycare provider. Or the "perfect couple" who fostered her her three month old son. Or that the protagonist grew up in foster care and knows how cruel the system can be.
The characters are so fleshed out you know them like a neighbor You know where they've been and what they want to do with their lives.
The descriptions are vivid. You can actually SEE the devastation of Melanie's home following the search by the police. There's just something a little too perfect about the case against Melanie and the evidence too airtight. Add that the district attorney wants to rush this to trial and the assistant DA already knows her from a serial rapist who is terrorizing the community.
Emily Rankin does an outstanding job narrating. She gets the emotions just right.
This book has my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!
If you found this review helpful please indicate so.
Thank You.
Now this is SUSPENSE!!!!
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Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
I don't think I would. I was a bit annoyed.What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?
It was somewhat annoying. I find a story more enjoyable when the plot is somewhat reasonable. I don't like it when law enforcement look like idiots.Which scene was your favorite?
noneDid Closer Than You Know inspire you to do anything?
write this reviewI've read much better
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captivating and suspenseful down to the last sec
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