From “one of the best thriller writers in the business” (Associated Press) comes a novel praised by Harlan Coben as “mesmerizing, gripping…the perfect blend of complex characters, plot twists galore, and great psychological suspense.” Sometimes the person you thought you knew best… Turns out to be someone you never really knew at all. The crash that killed him Two years ago, Jane Norton … him
Two years ago, Jane Norton crashed her car on a lonely road, killing her friend David and leaving her with amnesia. At first, everyone was sympathetic. Then they found Jane’s note: I wish we were dead together.
A girl to blame
From that day the town turned against her. But even now Jane is filled with questions: Why were they on that road? Why was she with David? Did she really want to die?
The secrets she should forget
Most of all, she must find out who has just written her an anonymous message: I know what really happened. I know what you don’t remember…
Don’t miss Jeff Abbott’s most chilling thriller to date–perfect for readers of The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl, or The Woman in Cabin 10.
“One of my favorite writers.” — Laura Lippman, New York Times bestselling author
“If you like Harlan Coben, read this book. Taut, twisty, and elegantly-written, with an ending you won’t see coming.” — Sarah Pekkanen, bestselling author of The Perfect Neighbors
“Jeff Abbott is a master…I am, and always have been, a devoted fan.”-Lisa Unger, New York Times bestselling author
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I needed a book that would grab me, and this was perfect. I couldn’t stop reading. It was a domestic thriller that used amnesia as a vehicle, and did it well. Even thought there were a lot of characters, they were well-drawn and I had no trouble keeping them straight. I predicted the end, but it didn’t matter. I wanted to see how it unfolded. A page-turner!
Excellent book. Heart wrenching and thrilling at the same time. Well written, provocative. Don’t miss this terrific suspense.
Two years ago, high school senior Jane Norton was driving the car in which her dear friend, classmate, and next door neighbor, David Hall, was riding. David died at the scene and Jane was severely injured. A traumatic brain injury left Jane with memory loss. While she can recall events from her childhood, she has never regained her memories of high school leading up to the accident. Including the memories of her father’s death and the painful days that followed. She returned to school and graduated, and even attempted college. But after flunking out, Jane has been adrift, refusing to live with her mother who stubbornly remains residing next door to David’s mother, Perri. In the aftermath of the loss of their only son, Cal, David’s father, has moved out and their divorce is pending. Most of the time, Jane hides in her friend Adam’s dorm room.
An anonymous Internet threat — “All will pay” — and violent confrontation with Perri at David’s gravesite on the anniversary of the accident sets in motion Jane’s quest to finally learn the truth about the accident and her life before it. What kind of person was she? What was the real nature of her relationship with Kamala, who insists they were the best of friends? Why were she and David driving on that road?
Blame is a tightly-constructed mystery full of unexpected revelations inserted at expertly-timed intervals and surprising plot twists. It also features an inherently unreliable narrator — Jane — who has lost both her memory and very identity. She has no self-confidence and the people in her life are largely strangers. She mistrusts their representations about the nature and quality of her relationships with them prior to the accident, as does the reader. Thus, every supporting character is a suspect, including Jane’s overly protective mother, Laurel, even though those characters’ motivations for wanting to keep the truth from Jane are not immediately apparent. Abbott keeps the action moving at a quick pace that accelerates to a shocking conclusion that many readers will not see coming! Although an amnesiac as the central character is not a unique concept, Abbott’s execution of the story is essentially flawless and thoroughly enjoyable.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader’s Copy of the book!
Jane Norton crashed her car, killing her friend David and leaving her with no memory of the event. But of course, nothing is ever as it seems. As Jane’s memory slowly returns, she comes to realize that the events of that awful night did not unfold in quite the way everyone believed. Now Jane is racing to regain her memory and to discover the truth before it was too late. Absolutely unputdownable!
Enjoyed Jeff Abbott’s BLAME a lot. I especially liked the way the plot unfolded. I found the characters interesting, and I cared about them, which I don’t always do in a mystery. It’s a good read!
Jeff Abbott NEVER disappoints.
(Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read and review and ARC of this book for an honest review)
Blame by author Jeff Abbott is the best thriller I have read this year! The characters are complex and believable. Some of them you just want to …well…I wanted to reach into the book and grab a few of them! You know what that mean?
The author has written an enthralling mystery or suspense story in which I felt emotionally involved. Jane is suffering from amnesia following a very suspicious car accident Her next door neighbor and friend David is killed in the accident. Due to a note being found at the scene of the crash a day after the accident Jane’s friends are thinking it was no accident, but a possible suicide-murder attempt by Jane.
I will not post spoilers, but if you enjoy suspense and a plot which has many twists and turns, then you will enjoy this new book by Jeff Abbott. The questions and cast of characters with various motives keep you guessing.
A Great Read!