Her memories died, but the dead won’t let them sleep.There’s something Allie can’t remember; hidden memories that refuse to surface. Until one day, when something brings back images of a forgotten night.A year after graduating from Emsworth University, a mysterious email appears, asking Allie a single question. Someone wants her to remember, and they are getting closer. As forgotten memories … forgotten memories gradually surface, Allie has to come to terms with her dark past, and a revelation she could have never imagined.
But what really happened at 1414 Kalorama Road?
Praise from readers:
★★★★★ – “Billups keeps cranking up the tension with skillful storytelling reminiscent of a chilling Alfred Hitchcock movie.”
★★★★★ – “Seductive, hypnotic and addictive writing.”
★★★★★ – “I found myself completely immersed in this well thought-out, captivating story.”
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After reading a few articles written by E. Denise Billups in Conscious Talk Magazine, I found myself intrigued with her writing style and voice. After some research, I noticed she’d written a few books, so I selected the one that appealed to me the most, Kalorama Road. If you’re a fan of mysterious character connections, someone with memory loss trying to unearth what happened during a missing 24-hour period, or a subtle tense feeling of “uh oh” while reading, you will definitely enjoy this one!
The story takes place in modern day NYC (blocks from where I live) and the Washington DC / Virginia area. Allie, an editor at a big publishing company, can’t remember what happened one night at a party during her college years. She remembers being invited by a strange girl, showing up and seeing some peculiar behavior, but then all she knows is that her roommate saw a handsome guy drop her off the next morning. What happened overnight? Well… Allie’s been getting monthly text messages and emails asking her what happened at Kalorama Road that night. They scare her but also intrigue her. Is it someone else who doesn’t recall? Is it someone who wants her to remember? Is it the person who took her there who has since disappeared? It all begins coming back together when she’s let go from her publishing job and begins writing a blog. Someone submits a book for her review but it seems like a real life mystery, then it begins to resemble her own experience at Emsworth University. Allie never told anyone but she’s compelled to reveal all the details to her former colleague and the former roommate. At the same time, Allie’s sister has a secret she wants to keep hidden and a new man enters Allie’s life that seems very familiar. How does everything come together?
The book jumps back and forth between a few main characters, sharing their stories and actions over the course of a few weeks. We see a few memories from the past and learn who is really connected to who. As each chapter unfolds, a piece of the puzzle gets more clear but also opens up more confusion to leaf through. Throw in a powerful senator and his family, a suicide, a newspaper reporter trying to find out what happened in the past, a murder, and a family with a large endowment given to the university yet some secrets worth protecting, there’s bound to be a few explosive moments. What a wild ride, both in terms of how all the connections are revealed and in the build-up of tension between all the new people suddenly just appearing in Allie’s life as she’s trying to solve the puzzle of her missing memories.
Billups drew me in from the first few chapters. I’m a sucker for a lost memory story, but when it straddles that line of “oh, this seems obvious” but then throws you a curve where you’re like “wait, WHAT?” it’s even more appealing. It takes a lot to plan a story where you reveal things bit by bit. It’s also difficult to cover a story from multiple points of view without confusing readers. Billups handles both with great aplomb and talent, as it came together solidly without any concern.
Her character sketches of different women and men in their 20s, living in NY, were on point and realistic — there were moments were they annoyed me because of typical behavior, but that’s a good thing as it means Billups has evoked intense emotion and a strong connection to the story. I enjoyed the slow-build romance and potential eerie connections with her new friends, but I also could tell she had some blinders on when it came to all the ‘coincidences’ going on in her life. And there’s an explanation for it… as the tidbits of history we learn about Allie and her sister’s lives growing up clearly show why they act the way they do now. A great way to make things seem quite reasonable in a story that has you guessing who to trust.
I’m quite intrigued by what else might come from the author’s clever mind. I’ll be taking another look at her previous books and seeing if I can find out what’s coming up next… as I’ll definitely be reading another one this year. And I don’t want to wait a year for another book! 🙂
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Kalorama Road is a thrilling tale of a young acquisitions editor, Allison, who cannot recall the events of a party she attended two years before, when she was drugged into a comatose state. Allison loses her job due to a publisher takeover just as a fresh manuscript arrives on her desk and she is eager to publish. She has no idea the author, Ryan Mc Thursten, is an old flame of sorts. Then there is Allison’s younger sister, Nicky, and the typical sibling tensions between them add a note of realism and familiarity.
Set in New York and written in prose that is both eloquent and taut, Kalorama Road is a highly engaging page turner told from multiple viewpoints, with excellent pacing and character development. The intrigue builds and builds as more characters are introduced. Allison suffers flashback memories she struggles to make sense of. Add in the paranormal theme and the strange messages Allison receives by email from someone wanting her to remember the events of that fateful night of the party and the result is a perfect concoction. Billups has penned a gem of a story in Kalorama Road.
Without question, Billups has a special flair for the paranormal. So much so, that I’ve found myself on more than one occasion, questioning just how much of her stories are fact and fiction. When I heard this author had released a new story, I couldn’t wait to get my eyes on it. I’ve previously read three other stories by Billups. For me, By Chance, Rebound, and The Playground, were all undeniable five-star page turners, and Kalorama Road, is no exception. Just when I thought I had possibly read the best from this author, she has surprised me yet again. Outside of the well fleshed out captivating characters, and unique story lines, what I love most about this author’s stories is her writing style. Each of her stories flow smoothly, almost effortlessly. Not too wordy, or overly written, yet witty and moving. The use of language and emotion are so skillfully written that it takes you deep into the moment and sustains the energy well pass the stories end. The twist and turns were all unexpected, which isn’t easy to accomplish. The build up of suspense surrounding the unraveling of what had occurred at 1414 Kalorama Road was thick enough to cut with a knife. In all, I tremendously enjoyed this paranormal story, and I highly recommend this read and author to all readers looking for a tightly plotted, hands down page turner. You wont be disappointed!
“Images of unspeakable horrors plagued my junior year. It was like staring through a keyhole into a dark room, straining to see an imperceptible image, but the outline melted with the dark. Its there, just undetectable.”
Kalorma Road is a fast, paced contemporary, suspense novel I simply could not put down.
We first meet the brave, realistic and likeable main character Allie at the beginning of her career as a literary agent in New York City. She falls prey to something awful many people might relate to, a permanent and surprising lay-off from her corporate job. That very same day someone she’d been pursuing to represent finally had agreed to work with her, then it was over before it had begun.
This is where the story really moves and begins to take shape. Memories, terrible ones haunt Allie when her self-esteem plummets from being unemployed.
Something happened to Allie a few years before at a party. As a reader, I wondered aloud if she’d been hurt or accosted under the influence? I’ve personally had many close calls at these huge, off-campus parties, but left unscathed. Not everyone I know has been so lucky. I held my breath… hoping to be dead wrong. But this was not your average party and nothing was what it should be.
As more memories surfaced for Allie odd events begin to happen, papers move mysteriously or a scent is in the air that shouldn’t be. The paranormal elements increase and as the memory of Belle the beautiful, and flirtatious student who imitated that fateful night returns, the presence grows stronger. Cryptic messages also begin arriving on Allies blog. Then the perpetrator not only stops messaging, but also then disappears.
The suspense in the story grows with who might be involved in illicit activities until the shocking conclusion. While a handsome love interest and an older sister, Nikki rounds out the story nicely. I could say much so more about two additional women that come into play, but I won’t, because it might spoil the story for you.
If you enjoy reading suspense, mystery and a healthy dose of paranormal, you are going to devour this one.
I think the first half of the book was intriguing. I fkew through the pages, wondering what secrets Allie’s lost memeories held. As if that intrigue wasn’t thrilling enough, the last half of the book came around and gripped me. I read quickly, trying to guess the ending (which I was never able to do).
E. Denise Billiups has a beautiful writing style. It’s almost whimsical, and it is captivating. I could see her characters come alive across the pages, and every interaction was realistic.
I really enjoyed how the book flipped back and forth between characters, as little bits of the puzzle were pieced together. The mystery held strong until the very end, and there wasn’t anything left that made me question the valitidity of the story. It takes talent to juggle multiple points of view while also weaving an intricate mystery.
This is the first novel I’ve read of E. Denise Billiups, but it surly won’t be the last. Kalorama Road is mysterious and intricate, and left me unable to put it down.
*I recieved this book as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.*
This is one twisty story. You will need your thinking cap on to figure everything out. I couldn’t just blindly listen there are so many characters and scenes that happen it is hard to keep track sometimes.
The characters are good. Allie is strong and thought she overcame her discretion. Someone is trying to remind her of that day. She goes through a lot in here. The male characters are good and sneaky.
Overall this is good. I feel there is some unnecessary depth into her sister. Just filler that this story doesn’t need. That’s really my only complaint. This is a mystery filled with drama and suspense. The author does a good job drawing it out. I did listen to this on audio. The narrator did a good job for the most part. At times when she was the males. She just read normal or high pitched so that was a bit confusing.
What can I say other than, wow?
I will admit, it’s a little different than what I am used to reading. The beginning felt a little daunting at first, like I had read it all before; but as I continued to read, I came to find that I rather enjoyed the detail and subtle eccentricities each character possesses. As the story progresses, you really start to appreciate the familiarity each character offers.
With each turn of a page, I found myself more and more curious.
…the ghostly breeze…
…the familiar stranger…
…what happened at the house on Kalorama Road?
I also really enjoy the relationship our MC has with her sister. As someone that has never been close to many, I often find that writer’s do not convey an authentic familial bond; that was not the case with Kalorama Road.
E. Denise’s writing has broadened my preferred author’s list, and I strongly recommend you reading her work for yourself!
Kalorama Road is the first book by E. Denise Billups I have read. I have found a new great author! Billups builds suspense and chilling moments as hidden memories are forced to the surface. Allison Bertrand has lost her memory of a night that haunts the edges of her subconscious. However, someone doesn’t want her to forget… Will she remember, will the taunting emails stop. E. Denise Billups has a unique writing style that kept me engaged and wanting to know what was going to happen. Kalorama Road is a story that will keeping you guessing until the end. I will be reading many more books by Billups, she is an author to watch!
In short, Kalorama Road was a surprise. Although I liked the premises and the first quarter of the book well enough, I hadn’t expected it to suddenly grip me by the throat and keep me enthralled.
The suspense was… thrilling, for the lack of a better word. There was the possibility of a blooming romance, the unexpected touch of a supernatural manifestation and the mystery of a murder I just needed to see solved.
There were some spooky scenes, parts that had goosebumps breaking all over my body, and of course, the annoyance I felt every time I had to put the book down to see to something.
The writing style was smart, simple at times, complex at others, with enough sophisticated words to be enlightening as well.
The plot line was realistic (even with the supernatural element thrown in), highlighting ugly truths and endless possibilities that that could, and do, happen all too often in the world.
The characters were believable, their struggles something a person could connect to, their feelings real and sincere.
The modern touch the author adds to the story with the blogging aspect and the way the protagonist meets new people is also something I connected to – something a lot of people will find relatable, the doubts, how easy it is to forget the danger of cyber stalking, the friendship that can be born, even the curious need to make money through this venue.
The bond between the characters – Allie and her sister, between Allie and Lisa, even between Allie and CJ were well crafted, and the Ethan twist totally caught me by surprise.
I loved every aspect of this book, the dialogue, the character and plot development, the storyline and the lies and deceit that Billups presents so expertly and totally recommend it to all who enjoy a suspenseful, thrilling story with a touch of the supernatural.
I rarely read a book that’s sooo good I want to tell the whole world to read it as proof of its potency, its pleasure. As a matter of fact, this may be a first. As CJ asks in the novel, “Take a sip with me.” Billups’ writing is seductive, hypnotic, and addictive. Take a peek.
“Always prepared for disappointment, contentment is an emotion I rarely visit. For me, at least, happiness is a fleeting fantasy swinging cold, warm, and hot like a pendulum.”
I don’t have enough good things to say about Kalorama Road, and E. Denise Billups prose is about as elegant as it gets. And not elegance for the sake of elegance but a meaningful elegance that drives the narrative. Billups masterfully executes multiple POV’s that create suspense and rising tension in a way that’s hard to measure except to say that it never lets up. She has a way of pacing when it comes to character development that allows you to grow in knowledge of the characters as the characters experience revelations and evolve throughout the story. More Please.
“Below deck, the small bunk heaved with our quick actions. Above, my parent’s and his wife’s voices, tinged with Mojito bliss, echoed audibly. My inexperienced clawing, frantic beneath his experienced touch, climaxed in a delightful squeal, and a rush that brought no relief, only exasperation, an insatiable need.” Nice, right?
I’ve never been a huge fan of the prologue, but then I’ve never read one written by Billups before. One that just doesn’t set the story up and gives you backstory but gives you a taste of the main course the way it is to be served up throughout the literary feast. We’re introduced to the main character, Allison, straightaway and given a glimpse of what happened and lured into what is to come. The characters are crafted well and complex, beautiful and at the same time flawed and contrasting with each other … as they should be. You can recognize them by the action and dialogue. And it’s hard to take your eyes off Ryan and Allie as they search for a dark truth that eludes them both in different ways, a dark truth that resides at 1414 Kalorama Road.
I couldn’t resist including this. “Maybe this is how it starts, a gullible person sucked into dangerous liaisons, looking for companionship in stranger’s words.”
There are twists and turns to be sure and the literary world slickly woven in as a backdrop. The pacing is superb, and the backstory crafted in a way that keeps the narrative moving forward. This is one of those novels that stands alone. Billups blends dialogue, action, and description so well it makes the narrative fluid, and there’s an ache that goes along with experiencing this story that cries out to be manifested on the big screen. Five massive stars for Kalorama Road.
One more for the road.
“Rolling sideways and peeking from beneath the pillow, the laptop winks from the nightstand. I yawn and acquiesce to wakefulness, grab the laptop, and curl into the headboard.”