The last thing Ash expects when she lands in Clearwater, Florida is to be stalked by a troubled teenager. If that’s not bad enough, she is caught in a shooting spree next to the nearby elementary school. The cops think it’s an attempt at mass killing, but Ash wonders if the only victim was specifically targeted by the killer. Will she manage to identify him and have him arrested before he comes … comes after her?
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I am a fan of Uvi Poznansky’s writing and Overkill (Ash Suspense Thriller #2). reinforces that belief. I was excited to read this book since I’d enjoyed meeting Ash in the first book of this series, Coma which I recommend as well. In Overkill, twenty-something Ash moves to Clearwater, Florida to recover from previous trauma and to allow herself time to get her life in order. She re-connects with her father and his new wife who seems to have quite a notable past. Ash rents a rundown beach cottage with a noxious order and questionable carpet. Almost upon arrival she is noticed and stalked by a young, sociopathic teenager who turns out to be more than just a little bit trouble. Ash also meets a depressed mother whose teenage son is missing. She offers to tutor the woman’s young son, Timmy, and take him to school each day. She becomes quite fond of Timmy. Shortly afterward, Ashley is witness to a school shooting which further complicates her life and the lives of other characters.
This is a well-done suspense thriller that is quite chilling. The characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional. The plot is paced with several twists and turns I didn’t expect. The writing is impressive, and the dialogue is good. I felt immersed in the book. All in all, a terrific read! Kudos to the author!
Ashley left California for Florida to recover from sexual assault, confused and fearful that she may be pregnant from the incident. She rents a dumpy beach house and notes a stench that she is unable to get rid of. Her mother visits and says it smells like a decaying body. That’s just the beginning of the intrigue. She finds a hidden room in the beach bungalow that the landlady suspiciously denies knowledge . Ash then acquires a stalker who turns out to be a troubled youth. Ash meets a number of characters in her new domicile and their stories are all intertwined in the mysteries Ash trie to understand. When a school shooting occurs, leaving Ashley is at the site but feels it was staged to conceal the fact that there had only been one intended target. She eventually discovers the truth that ties all the apparently unrelated events together and her life is put in peril.
This story is not only intriguing and suspenseful, the prose is beautifully written. The story keeps the reader engaged and unexpected twists and turns abound in the plot. A book well worth reading!
Overkill (Ash Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance Book 2) grabs you with the first sentence and doesn’t let go. Ashley Winter is on a retreat to try to make a new start after a horrific experience
from her recent past that happens in the first book. Moving to a Florida coastal town seems to be just what she needs to relax and get her life in order. Things don’t go smoothly or peacefully for Ashley and once the trouble starts it does not stop.
Ashley falls into one catastrophic and mysterious situation after another. Upon arrival she finds herself a teenage stalker even her landlady seems to keep lying about and a hidden room upstairs behind a wall. She can’t seem to get rid of the stalker or the smell in her new apartment. This is a timely story in today’s high school environments.
Ashley finds one ordeal after another that she doesn’t count on. The author throws twist after twist. You won’t be disappointed, maybe surprised because the reader will not see them coming. I couldn’t put this book down and am looking forward to Book Three. I didn’t find it necessary to read the books in order since Uvi Poznansky adds backstory right when it’s needed to keep the story moving at an amazing pace. If you like thrillers, OVERKILL raises the bar!
Overkill (Ash Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance Book 2) is a timely, suspenseful continuation of Coma Confidential: (Ash Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance Book One) and a tale you won’t want to miss.
As a fan of the multi-talented Uvi Poznansky and her creativity, I was eager to get into this fast-paced thriller which definitely doesn’t disappoint. The words turbulent, timely and captivating come to mind –
We meet up with Ashley Winter and her attempt to start anew after her catastrophic, shocking experiences in Book One. We now find her in Clearwater, Florida trying to put the pieces of her life together, only to be blindsided by unwelcome news that stems back from her ordeal, an odd stalker, and a school shooting that ends in murder.
Plus, there’s that mysterious upstairs room in her rental, which her landlady denies exists. The secret room is shrouded with mystery and sadness and becomes a key element in Ash’s search for the truth. Twists and turns you never see coming made this reader think, “Yikes, never expected that.”
While reading Coma Confidential (Book one of the series) might enlighten a reader, Ms. Poznansky’s talent for weaving backstory in strategic areas of Overkill makes it unnecessary in order to keep up with the current story – although it IS recommended reading, as are all of her other books.
Bravo for keeping me intrigued from start to finish, Ms. Poznansky – Five gold, well deserved stars awarded – Can’t wait to read Book Three.
“It’s not immediately that I notice the smell.” This thriller grabs you from the opening line. Trying to heal from previous trauma, Ash goes impulsively for school’s winter break to Florida but cannot escape her feelings of dread. Trouble follows her. She finds herself first stalked by a troubled teenager, and then caught in a shootout at a nearby school. The police think it’s an attempted mass killing, but Ash suspects that the only victim was targeted by the killer. Can she persuade the police who he is before he comes after her?
This, the second in this Ash Suspense Thriller series, stands out for the mesmerizing quality of the writing. Uvi Poznanski transports us with her stunning prose, well-rounded characters, and dialogue. The plot twists are complete surprises, and pull us on to see what’s next. Nothing is what it appears to be, which is exactly what you’d want in a solid mystery thriller with a dash of romance. I loved this book, and recommend it highly. Five stars!
This is one of those books you can’t put down, so when you start, plan on not doing anything until you finish it. It’s that good!
I loved the characters and one of the things I enjoy when I read a book is trying to figure out where it’s going to end up. This one had so many twists and turns, there was no way I could. And to me, that’s the sign of a very good book.
I can’t recommend it highly enough. You’re in for a treat. Enjoy!
A Captivating Suspense Thriller
OVERKILL by USA Today Bestselling Author Uvi Poznansky is a captivating psychological suspense thriller.
Ash has moved to Clearwater, Florida, thinking to recuperate from the trauma she’s suffered during the past few years, having been raped and in a coma. But unfortunately, trouble seems to follow Ash wherever she goes. Months after recovering from her coma, Ash finds out that the man who performed her brain surgery has a dark past. Should she expose him? And if she did, what would be the cost?
If that’s not enough for her to have to deal with, not only does she have to contend with a troubled teen who appears to be stalking her, she’s stuck in the middle of yet another traumatizing event – a shooting spree at a nearby elementary school.
When the police classify it as just another senseless school shooting, Ash believes that because of the fact that only one adult had been killed, there’s a distinct possibility that the victim had been the target of the attack. But could she identify the killer in case he decided to come after her?
The author did a fabulous job of keeping me absorbed in the story, which is fast paced, extremely suspenseful and full of some pretty unique twists and turns. Ash has a secret she’s been hiding which definitely added to the emotional upheaval and torment she’s been experiencing since her rape. The story just kept getting better as I continued reading on.
I’ve been reading Uvi Poznansky’s romance and women’s fiction stories for years and have taken part in some romance box sets she’s put together in the past. I’ve always loved her beautiful style of lyrical writing, which can remind me so much of poetry at times. Unmatched by any other author I’ve read, her stories have always succeeded in keeping me engrossed. Plus, I’m really loving her latest focus on suspense.
This story can be read as a standalone, although I highly recommend reading COMA CONFIDENTIAL, the first in the series, which gives you a better understanding of the complex character of Ash as well as the reasons for her sudden move to Clearwater.
Uvi Poznansky
With each story she writes, Uvi Poznansky paints a vivid picture on the canvas of your mind. Her lyrical style draws me into each story I read. So, I wasn’t surprised when the description in her suspense thriller, Overkill, swept me in and held me captive through the entire book.
The nail-biting suspense, richly drawn characters, and dark psychological plot will keep you guessing. Written in first person, from the point of view of Ash, formerly a comatose patient, Overkill is ripped from today’s headlines.
If you love a fast-paced, suspense, Pick up a copy. You won’t be disappointed, and you’ll love her beautiful style.
This novel is part of a three-part series, so if you enjoy Ms. Ponznansky’s writing style and the characters in this work, you’ll have more reading pleasure to queue up on your Kindle.
This novel is also available as an audio-book. I truly enjoy being able to continue with a novel when doing my driving or chores, until I can find my comfortable reading chair and my Kindle again. The narrator did a beautiful job interpreting Ms. Ponznansky’s prose, lacing them with emotion. I highly recommend getting both the audio book and the eBook as a pair.
This novel is told from Ashley Winters’s point of view. While this is second in series, a new reader, such as I am, will have no problem jumping right in to this second book, as it works well as a stand-alone.
The author creates a twisted tale of suspense and violence. Her intense plot line is seeded with red herrings and subplots that keep the reader on their toes.
Grab your copy. Enjoy!
Overkill is the second book in the series, “Ash Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance,” by Uvi Poznansky, following Coma Confidential. In the first book, Ash had awakened from a coma after suffering an assault and a rape. In this book, trying to get her life in order, she leaves her California home to spend some time in a rented cottage in Clearwater, Florida. Early in the book, she meets Paul Gore, an obviously disturbed young man who seems fascinated with Ash, and she meets Timmy, a neighbor whose brother has recently vanished. Ash strikes up a friendship with Timmy’s mother, Tracy, and winds up accepting an offer to tutor Timmy and also to conduct him to school each morning, since Tracy, bereft at losing her older son, is extremely concerned about Timmy’s welfare.
The book is well written. The characters are finely drawn and the plot makes sense, though it is somewhat predictable. Michael Morse, Ash’s boyfriend, who we met in the prior book, plays a small role. It’s a short book and easy to read and the very sad circumstances regarding what turns out to be a series of killings keeps the reader engrossed. I enjoyed Overkill and I’m looking forward seeing what the future holds for Michael and Ash.
I first read a book by Uvi Poznansky when we were both invited into the same boxed set. Then, impressed by her work, I read a couple more of them. And recently, as soon as I saw this newest novel of hers up on Amazon, I had to buy it. So glad I did!
First off, although this is Book 2 of a series, not only does it completely work as a stand alone, it is quite a riveting story. The main character, Ash, is very believable and touching as she first faces an unwanted pregnancy then becomes the victim of a very disturbed teenage stalker. And what a messed up individual he is. His growing anger, perceived hurts, and irrational behavior is extremely well portrayed, as the plot’s steady build up kept me on the edge of my seat. And by the time a mass killing occurs, I couldn’t believe how chillingly and authentically described it was.
Yet there was another element that also anchored my attention to this book. Throughout Ash’s journey, in spite of her own misgivings about having a baby and her wanting to escape her life at the moment, when she helps out a neighbor by watching the woman’s young son, we soon see a transformation occur within Ash. She develops such a protective attachment to the little one, she turns into a Mother Tiger. A strong woman who is there, ready and willing to fight for the boy, when all the pieces of this thriller’s puzzle come together. Very highly recommended!
After reading Overdose, I couldn’t wait to go back and read more of the Ash series. and Overkill did not disappoint.
Ash arrives into Tampa Bay, ready to enjoy a new lease on life. But all her hopes are put to the test when she rents a cottage that is less than ideal and then is stalked by an dangerous teen who plays a terrifyingly realistic role.
With all the twists and turns expected for the genre and a strength in descriptions that places you in the middle of the action, Overkill delivers in all the best ways. You’ll page-turn, find your heart pounding, and be haunted by the story well after to close the back cover. 5 stars for this gifted author who I am sure to keep reading.
I love Uvi Poznansky’s books!
Ms. Poznansky is an extremely talented writer and I had looked forward to reading Overkill.
As always, her stories are beautifully written with engaging characters and suspenseful plots, and Overkill delivered. What a great five-star summer read!!
Disclosure: I learned of Ms. Poznansky’s writing when we were invited to take part in a box set and I was introduced to her writing. I am so thankful I found a wonderful author and just had to purchase Overkill.
Ashley, Lost And Confused Following Her Rape And Coma, Spends Winter Break In Florida To Regroup But Trouble Seems To Follow Her!
This is book two of the Ash Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance series.
Ashley Winters, twenty-two, needs time alone to regroup after surviving her brutal rape and the coma that nearly left her defenseless against her would-be killer. Over winter break from the University of California Irvine, where she is working on her master’s degree, she decides on impulse to rent a dilapidated beach house in Clearwater, near her father’s Florida home with his new wife, Heather. Michael, her boyfriend and a brilliant software developer, will miss her but is supportive and understanding. He doesn’t know that she is clueless about her future plans – she may end up staying in Florida and starting over. Her overbearing mother flies out to Florida and stays just long enough to assist with her move.
Ashley begins to question her decision as soon as she enters her rental. The odor is unbearable and the landlady resists taking responsibility for it. Mrs. Gore avoids answering questions about the home and is difficult to deal with, but she finally concedes and agrees to replace the carpeting.
At the same time, Ashley acquires a young stalker. Paul, roughly seventeen and in high school, hates girls and hates his mother. He asks Ashley out in spite of their age gap, and doesn’t seem satisfied with ‘no.’ Ashley’s mother even spots him watching the home from across the street.
When the carpet is replaced, the installer draws Ashley’s attention to two matters. First, an unusual stain underneath the old carpeting. And second, a blocked off stairwell leading to a hidden upstairs room. When Mrs. Gore plays dumb and denies its existence, Ashley’s suspicion that something bad had happened in that home grows.
Four issues immediately occupy Ashley’s thoughts as she tries to settle in and get away from her recent trauma. First, the suspected blood in the carpet begs the question – did someone die in the home? Second, why was the upstairs room closed off and hidden? And why had Mrs. Gore denied its existence? Third, how much trouble would her apparent stalker cause? And lastly, is it possible that the awful odor wasn’t the only thing causing her nausea? Could she be pregnant? The suspicion that her rape had resulted in pregnancy added to Ashley’s despair. She and Michael hadn’t gone so far as to make it possible that the baby was his. It was easier to ignore the problem, however, and hope it went away rather than face the difficult possibility.
As Ashley deals with these new concerns, she meets several people. Heather, her father’s new bride, wears tight dresses that flaunts her cleavage, but a nurturing quality prevents her from outright hating Heather. Tracy, a newly divorced mother, hires Ashley to help with her thirteen year old son. Tracy is terrified to leave his side after her older son’s disappearance three weeks earlier. Timmy is a sweet boy that misses his older brother, Brian. His father, Ed, is a Sheriff officer but has been asked to step back from his job due to getting emotionally involved in the case. And Marcia, Paul’s meek mother, turns out to be a distant relative of Mrs. Gore.
When a shooting occurs, leaving Ashley and Timmy in the crosshairs, Timmy suggests it is overkill – that there had only been one intended target in spite of all the melee. Ashley finds herself enmeshed in a crime once again, and having a genius boyfriend that develops virtual reality applications comes in handy. It implies a happy ending in the romance department.
Ashley’s second thriller is a suspenseful quick read. Unlike the first book, this one is serious in tone. She once again shows incredible courage and fortitude in the face of danger. The story is well-written. It is plot-driven. I rate this book 4.5 stars.
Ash is a character that will draw you in and make you care. She’s needy and scared – helpless and yet working her life the best she can. I had to keep reading because the action was continuous and the conflicts kept popping up – hurdle after hurdle. You need to see for yourself how she conquers them and grows.
This second book in the Ash Suspense Thrillers is again very descriptive, exciting and well written. I listened to Audible version and felt the narrator took some of the tense, suspenseful moments away. The words were putting me on edge, but her tone was not. But I found this book to be very entertaining.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from Story Origin.
Needing to heal from the trauma of her rape and coma, Ash heads to Florida alone but her stay is anything but the peaceful escape she was hoping for in this second novel in the series.
A secret room, a stalker, a missing boy and a schoolyard shooting lead to a nail-biter of a conclusion that will leave you gasping for breath as Poznansky spins a tale of intrigue, tragedy and pure evil that might cause you to reconsider turning the lights out at night.
A must for thriller fans.
Ash moved to a new town to get a fresh start. The constant questions of how she’s doing only serve to bring back the past. Her rent is cheap and it’s apparent why. No matter, she’s going to do her best. However she’s soon embroiled in strange things and a murder investigation. Will she find out who the killer is? Will she be able to protect a young boy? . . . Well written and full of suspense, this book kept me up reading. ‘Overkill’ can be read as a standalone, but the first book in the series is awesome as well. I definitely recommend both of them!
Overkill, by Uvi Poznansky, is the latest release from this USA Today Bestselling Author. I have long been a genuine fan of all her books, from the romantic stories to the biblical novels, and now to this delightful thriller! I read the first book in the series, Coma Confidential—a wonderful psychological thriller— and was thrilled when Overkill was released so that I could continue to follow young college student Ashley in her startling exploits.
Told from the point of view of Ash, formerly a comatose patient, Overkill is poetically written and finely executed, involving new storylines that could have been taken from contemporary headlines.
Ash flees her college life in California, leaving boyfriend Michael behind, hoping for a much needed respite after the events in Coma Confidential.
The little cottage she rents from an acquaintance of her father ends up not being as idyllic as expected, when she walks in the door and there’s a horrific odor and stains beneath the rugs. Who died here? And why is everyone so closed mouth about the history of the cottage?
The story heats up when Ash is caught in a school shooting. The child she protects is a young neighbor boy, whose estranged father is killed in the rampage. Ash becomes involved in the investigation and becomes close to the mother and boy, helping the family wherever she can.
Overkill is a fast-paced, suspenseful and beautifully written tale that you must enjoy for yourself!
– Highly recommended by Aaron Lazar, USA Today Bestselling Author.
A really intense read! Filled with interesting complex and some devious characters. This book captured me on the very first page! Very descriptive and intriguing read. I became engrossed in this riveting story and loved the characters.Lots of twists and turns. Very well written and one of the best books I have read this year! A Must Read!!