Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Pg. 69: Jeff Abbott's "Fear"

Today's feature at the Page 69 Test: Jeff Abbott's Fear.

About the book, from the author's website:
What if you could forget the worst moment of your life?

Miles Kendrick is a federal witness hiding from the mob, constantly haunted by the horrifying memories of his best friend's death. While helping his psychiatrist with a mysterious favor, Miles stumbles into a murder — and an illegal medical research program that could free him and millions of others with post-traumatic stress disorder from their crippling fears. In the wrong place at the wrong time, Miles ends up in the cross-hairs of Dennis Groote, an ex-FBI agent turned hitman. Groote is determined to find a cure for his traumatized daughter — and determined to gain control of a secret drug formula worth billions on the open market, a formula he believes Miles possesses.

Pursued by both Groote and government agents, Miles runs for his life. He draws on his old skills as a mobster's spy to survive a deadly duel of strike and counterstrike with the unrelenting and brutal Groote. Miles finds two unlikely allies: a mentally broken ex-soldier and a reclusive woman whose life was destroyed by violence. To save them all — and with one last chance to be the man he once was — Miles takes the battle back to the powerful, murderous forces who want to silence one troubled man before he can get his life back...
Among the praise for Fear:
"Hypercharged... few who start this book will stop turning the pages."
Publishers Weekly

"...Fear is an adrenaline-inducing suspense thriller of the highest order. Told in staccato, action-packed chapters that are seething with angst, obsession, shocking brutality, and compassion in the unlikeliest of places, Fear will have readers on the edge of their collective seats until the very last pages, which includes some jaw-dropping plot twists that would make even O. Henry proud — yet another hair-raising gem by the new master of suspense."
—Paul Goat Allen, Barnes & Noble Ransom Notes

"Fear's nonstop action delivers a unique premise with fully-developed characters and, as a bonus, terrific scenery... Abbott ratchets up Fear with surprising twists and hairpin turns, while remembering the human factor."
—Oline Cogdill, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

"Exciting and terrifying"
Austin American-Statesman

"Heart-stopping"
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Read an excerpt from Fear and more about Jeff Abbott's books at his website and MySpace page.

Abbott is a three-time nominee for the Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Allan Poe Award and a two-time nominee for the Anthony Award, given at Bouchercon (aka the World Mystery Conference.) All of Jeff's Whit Mosley suspense novels have been honored with nominations for major writing awards: A Kiss Gone Bad was short-listed for the Anthony Award; Black Jack Point was nominated for the Edgar, Anthony, and Barry Awards; and Cut and Run was nominated for the Edgar Award. Jeff's first novel, Do Unto Others, won both the Agatha Award and the Macavity Award for Best First Novel. His other books include The Only Good Yankee, Promises of Home, and Distant Blood.

The Page 69 Test: Fear.

--Marshal Zeringue