Rick Philips isn’t a fighter – but he is a survivorHaunted by memories of a high school shooting, not even the bottle can wash away the gnawing guilt and creeping feelings of inadequacy that batter Rick’s conscience daily. His life has been a mess of broken marriages, writer’s block, terrible choices, and the morbid pity of others.When he meets Harriet at a writer’s conference, the record doesn’t … a writer’s conference, the record doesn’t scratch as he falls back – only this time, he may not get up.
Harriet Bristol Wheeler is a dark temptress – and self-confessed serial killer
Harriet has no problem killing – and even fewer issues blending back into the background after the act with the cool, calculating eye of a practiced social chameleon.
Manipulative, unpredictable, and exceptionally intelligent, she’s Rick’s worst nightmare – and the ideal subject for his next book.
A book that they are both desperate to write.
Time is running out – but the sadness will last forever
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Rick Phillips is the sole survivor of a horrific high school shooting who is still haunted by that event. Although he has written a book about the event, he hasn’t done much since except endure two failed marriages and become an alcoholic. Although he is teaching at DuPont University, he is mostly getting by on the remainders of his fame as a survivor.
When he a wild sexual encounter with a beautiful woman, Harriet Bristol Wheeler, his life is sent into a tailspin. Harriet claims to be a serial killer and wants Rick to write her story. Rick demands evidence and soon finds himself being dragged around the country by this mysterious woman. He starts trying to figure out her motivation: is she crazy, delusional, or just evil? Claiming to have killed twelve people because of their evil aura, she wants Rick to pick number 13 before it’s too late.
The book was fast paced and interesting, but I didn’t really care for any of the characters, not even Rick (who you would think would be a more sympathetic person). At times, it was hard to follow the jumps in the story and this was especially true with an audiobook. I felt a little let down by the conclusion, to be honest. I would have liked to know more about Harriet and her exploits (maybe in the form of the book Rick might possibly write?).
The narrator did a good job with his pacing and voices and kept my interest throughout the book. I was given the chance to listen to the audiobook version of this book by the author and chose to review it.
Combustible Punch opens with a sit up and take notice scene that had me in high hopes for a gripping thriller. Unfortunately, the pacing slowed down considerably after that. Here’s where I add that when you promise an ‘enthralling and unnerving” story alongside the title of a book, it better darn well deliver because that’s what is expected. Yes, Harriet is a serial killer and the telling of her story had so much potential, but the reality wasn’t nearly as thrilling as it could have been. I felt like I was led around from revelation to revelation with no need to guess about anything. The only twist lay in connection of Harriet to another person. That said, the story does have its positive points. The premise is intriguing, and our narrator, Rick, has his share of issues from his past. Those issues don’t keep him from being narcissistic and making some highly questionable decisions. In the end, this one wasn’t what I was hoping for, but it was worth the read.
This book was an edge of your seat read. The twists and turns are awesome! Harriet meets Rick at a writers conference and wants him to write her story, she is a serial killer and has killed 12 people. Rick grapples with the concept because he doesn’t feel confident enough to do the job. She presses him and he finally relents.
Just grab the book and start reading, it grabs you right at the beginning and doesn’t let up! I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Wow! I’m impressed. This is the first book in a long time that I ran a gambit of emotions. The primary ones were of fear and sympathy for the main character. This book made me pucker and tingle, and in not a good way. I think the position this character found himself in, is what would make most men shudder; especially because it’s too realistic. I believe the author left us some loose threads that will likely be picked up in a following work. This book grabbed from the start and held onto me for the duration. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. I plan to now look at the Authors other works to see what I’ve previously may have missed.
This was certainly an intriguing read with fascinating if very flawed characters.
I liked the way that the story progressed and the interaction between the characters which resulted in some very unusual situations with new surprises being thrown into the mix along the way.
The only real criticism that I had with this book is that I found it quite difficult to empathise with the character of Rick, maybe it’s because he’s so flawed, but I just couldn’t relate to him.
Apart from that, however this is a very interesting, book with lots of excitement and well paced.
I received an advance copy of the book, but this honest review was voluntarily written.
Complex characters who start as interesting/intriguing and then evolve throughout the book. A story that is like a roller coaster ride; exciting and scary at the same time and also has quiet lulls before the next white knuckle section.
Thank you, Paul, for a great story.