Welcome to the string, a game of impossible decisions and deadly consequences. Let’s go over the ground rules.Rule #1: Participation is mandatory.Rule #2: If anyone refuses to play, all threats will come to pass.Game on.Get ready for a deadly social experiment as a sociopath known as The Conductor delivers disturbing threats and twisted moral dilemmas to unsuspecting students and staff. As a … students and staff.
As a powerful instinct for self-preservation sweeps through the campus, one man has a grave decision to make. Will university cop Markus Haas play the game to protect those he loves? Or will he break the string and incite massive chaos–and even death?
In the great suspense tradition of Ted Dekker and Steven James, Caleb Breakey’s explosive debut novel will have you turning pages into the night.
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*I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell Books. All opinions expressed are my own.*
The String
By: Caleb Breakey
*REVIEW*
The String is a seriously twisted tale of the manifestation of evil, appearing as “The Conductor”. This individual is the villain to end all villains, having no reservations about using any type of leverage against absolutely anyone to achieve the desired result. Obviously believing he possesses the power of God, the villain manipulates lives like a master puppeteer pulling the strings with the greatest of ease. It’s scary how smart this self proclaimed “Conductor” really is. I’m not cheering for the bad guy, but this character has a wow factor. The author has crafted a villain who is the complete opposite of generic, rather, “The Conductor” is eerily unforgettable To the other end of the spectrum we now go. The hero, Haas, is a cop at Trenton University. He’s well liked by the students, and he’s in a great relationship with a woman named Steph, plus her two daughters. Steph is recovering from a terrible first husband/monster and subsequent divorce. Haas is admirable in that he not only cares deeply about Steph but her children as well. He knows about the possibility of becoming a step father, but he doesn’t run away from the situation. Haas shows heart, kindness and loyalty. There is, however, something dark in his past that is alluded to from the first pages. Most other officers don’t like him, and they joke about whatever previously happened. I immediately felt like it was something that, if revealed, could destroy his present day life. Haas seems to be the center of the string, and you get the sense that he somehow hurt/offended the villain, and this unknown dark past event is also part of the equation. This madman is out to destroy everything Haas holds dear. Haas is only one knot in the string. There are many other knots/people involved in the bigger picture. I won’t delve into that because I don’t want to spoil anything. I will say I was amazed by how deftly the author intertwines the strings with each having a part to play and some type of leverage against each one forcing them to act as instructed by “The Conductor”. Free will is not on the agenda. If one knot acts off script , the other knots suffer. How do you save your own life and loved ones without destroying the others? You don’t. That’s part of the genius of the story. It’s an impossible situation, but as a reader, you want so much for it to be possible. This story is action from the start, and it’s a non stop roller coaster all the way. The mystery here drove me insane! I wanted to flip to the end so many times. I see the pieces, but I can’t make them fit. I was completely engrossed in this book and read it in one setting. Truly, it’s a fascinating complex narrative with bizarre situations that will leave you wondering what just happened. Will Haas outsmart “The Conductor”? What darkness lurks in the past? And, who the heck is this crazy person?! The String is a sharp edgy read that’s not for the faint hearted. If you easily have nightmares, then proceed with caution. If you aren’t scared and want a mind blowing mystery, then proceed with gusto!
“Life and death – we think of these as destinations, but they’re not….they’re NOT. They’re choices. And you have a choice to make.”
I must confess that I was first drawn to the book by the blurb and James Rubart’s endorsement for this debut thriller from Caleb Breakey. And, indeed, this book is one electrifying, intricately plotted, fast-paced psychological thriller that is like a masterpiece of art emerging through a fog to reveal its true beauty once the fog is cleared away. There are quite a few secondary characters that play vital roles in the plot who provide third person narratives and one real main character named Markus Haas who speaks in first person narrative. The jumps between narratives take a bit of getting used to, but, once the story starts rolling, it isn’t difficult to switch from Markus’ thoughts to those around him. It is definitely a book that is difficult to put down, since the “conductor” seems always two steps ahead of Markus and the breadth of the conductor’s reach seems almost too great for Markus to overcome. With each chapter, more of those controlled by the conductor are introduced and the reader, along with our hero Markus, is left wondering why the conductor is performing these heinous acts and what the finale will be. The ending is a burst of revelation that will leave you shocked and re-reading previous chapters to find the clues you may have missed. Faith element is not overt but a steady presence in the plot that allows Markus to truly see himself as he wages war against evil.
I am looking forward to the next book this author will release. The ending of this book is like the end credit teasers for the Avengers movies….you know it’ll be bigger when the sequel comes out.
I received a copy of the book from Baker Publishing Group through Interviews and Reviews and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
What I like most about a core group of characters trapped in the string is that they don’t spend all or most of the time panicking and then just stumbling into solutions. They’re thinking people who choose to be proactive, and it’s not because they’ve all had law enforcement or combat training. Even a few of the key female characters who could’ve easily been the helpless or hysterical damsels in distress throughout a hero’s tale are instead rational women who’ve got grit.
While, yes, this novel is rather gruesome, it’s not a basic “shoot ’em up and catch the bad guy” story with a neat and tidy ending. It’s psychological warfare with spiritual impact. And if you let the central message really HIT you (as it hit me), then you’ll likely begin to anticipate the next book in the Deadly Games series.
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Revell provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
Markus Haas is a police officer at Trenton University. The students like him and think he’s cool. He is dating a single mom, Steph, with two children. Fellow officers at the local police department don’t like him as some event in the past has placed animosity between the two. His fellow officer, Cody, is a good friend though. Markus is unwittingly drawn into a complex but deadly game run by “The Conductor”, who has amassed a network of people he forces to perform unsavory, illegal or dangerous tasks in order to keep the game going. If the players do not do what The Conductor tells them to do, someone they love will suffer severe consequences. Markus enters the game when a student places a bomb in his car.
In the course of his investigation, he quickly discovers that this is no game. The threats and consequences are very real. However, Markus is not one to be subdued. He fights back, but there is a cost. He tries his best to discover the identity of The Conductor, but with each attempt, a consequence is incurred. A threat is issued toward his girlfriend and her children who Markus holds dear, but can he discover who is behind this elaborate plot before more people are killed, including Steph and her kids?
I would rate this 3.5 if half-stars were allowed. The first book in most series has to lay the groundwork/history of characters and their backgrounds in order for subsequent novels to progress the story. The suspense was off the charts and had my heart pumping. There is a definite creepy factor to this story, which may put some people off. Also, I thought this could have been a great opportunity to showcase a disciple of God’s reaction to evil, but this story just had a few mentions of prayer and God. Believers in God are under attack every day from evil spiritual forces. I hope in subsequent books the author includes more about faith in God. I plan to read the next book in the series to see the potential growth and depth of the main character in relation to his faith in God.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
Every once in a while, a novel will stay with you long after you have read the final page. While most of these books have a positive impact or serve as inspiration, some creep into the darkest corners of the psyche where your deepest fears dwell.
Such is the case with The String, written by Caleb Breakey. Disturbing and disconcerting, this novel pulls readers in, kicking and screaming.
To read the complete review, go to https://kindredconnection.wordpress.com/2019/09/29/the-string/.
I admit, it had been awhile that I had this book in my possession and finally grabbed it to start reading. From the synopsis on the back I basically understood what the book was about. What I was not prepared for was the non-stop action contained within it.
The book starts off with the prologue, and I have to admit, right then and there I almost put my book aside. Talking about the potential of torturing a puppy had me not reading any further into the section. Instead, I skipped over and started with chapter one.
Chapter one also had you jumping into an action scene and partially way through it I was so confused with what was going on, that again, I contemplated setting it aside. Instead, I stuck to it and ended up enjoying the book.
As I mentioned above, it was very fast paced and action packed. I soon found myself flipping the pages just to finish, to figure out on my own who the conductor was and you know what? I was wrong on every guess.
That said, I wish there was more of an explanation on how the conductor was able to get the information that he was able to obtain early on about Markus and his girlfriend. It was sort of implied, but not really. How did he do it? Especially if that wasn’t his background.
What I wish, as a book one was the development of the characters and knowing what their place was. Especially chapter one. I’m introduced to Markus’s buddies but to be honest, I still don’t really know who they are or what side of the team they were on. Also, didn’t realize that Cody was Markus’s best friend.
Another review I read said that this would be great as a movie and I completely agree with them. You could then get a sense of who is talking and the different scenes.
Having read book one, I’m sure that book two will be equally exciting.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
It was hard for me to believe that this was a debut book. It was wonderful. Every time I thought I might know who the manipulated was something else happened. I loved the characters and the suspense. I am so looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
‘The branding iron pulsated reddish orange in the corner fireplace. It was time.’
These are the first words of this new book by Caleb Breakey and they introduce readers to the disturbing and thought-provoking world of a person who calls himself the conductor. This unknown villian is playing a cat and mouse game with students and staff members at Trenton University and his rules are very specific. If he chooses you, you must play and if you refuse to play, every other player is at risk. As this story progresses, it is obvious that the conductor is well acquainted with each player and he knows all of their secrets and weaknesses. What he doesn’t count on is the determination of one of the players to put this murderous game to an end. Marcus Haas is a university cop and he has some secrets also but he’s found someone worth fighting for and he is determined to protect Stephanie and her two little girls. ‘This was the love of my life, the woman I wanted to spend my life with—and I’d do anything to keep her and her daughters safe.’
If you have a busy day planned you may not want to start this book the night before because author Caleb Breakey has written a story that will keep you reading and rob you of sleep. The String is pyschological suspense at its best but it is also contemporay Christian suspense. Readers are shown good versus evil and the choices that are often required. Do you sacrifice others to save yourself? The String certainly made me think about what I would do and it made me very grateful that I myself wasn’t forced to play!
I received a complimentary copy from Revell and I am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts in this review.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell at Baker Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts below are my own.
A PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND AND LEAVE YOUR LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS KNOTTED UP!
When the “Conductor”x9d has over half of the campus in his back pocket as he pulls the strings, wreaking havoc and simulating murders, it’s up to one man to break The String and stop this madman… This new fictional thriller came highly recommended and rightly so. With an ever twisting and turning plot that keeps readers guessing and gasping, Breakey delights and horrifies readers with each new page.
Breakey’s debut novel, The String, is an epic thriller all its own. Readers will find themselves tangled up in the pages of this book as they eagerly move through the twists and turns of this well designed thriller with an intense plot.
Breakey magnificently creates a diabolic, evil villain who is characteristically offset by a heroic and daring protagonist. Markus Haas is a man woman might ideally swoon over. His strength, determination and protective nature leave little to be desired as he finds himself up against a monster who hides in the shadows and manipulates those around Markus. While astonishingly deep and masterfully planned, this novel’s narrative reads easily keeping readers guessing, gasping and turning the pages late into the night! With an epic battle over the mind, Breakey not only covers the strength of the human will but the impact our faith can have on it as well knowing God controls all our circumstances and outcomes. The underlying message of good vs. evil was one to relish.
I enjoyed this book immensely and the only thing that kept me from a five star rating is personal preference.
I would have loved to have seen good win over evil in the ending, but alas, there’s a twist! I won’t say more for fear of spoilers, but I do want to encourage you to pick a copy of The String for yourself! It is an excellent read, flawlessly created and quite edgy. It’s fresh and exciting also.
I recommend this thriller to both men and women as it easily appeals to both genders. For readers who enjoy psychological warfare, murder mysteries and suspense, this is a great read. For readers who enjoy cozy mysteries and mild suspense, this book may come on as shockingly strong. It is better than your favorite crime show, I’m convinced!
I’m excited about the fact that this book is book one in a series and I’m already looking forward to Breakey’s next release.
I enjoy reading novels by new authors. Breakey isn’t new to the Christian market, having authored at least two books previously, but they were non-fiction. His first was Called to Stay: An Uncompromising Mission to Save Your Church, which I read… and I think reviewed.
The book description doesn’t tell much, but it was enough to grab my interest, along with wanting to see what kind of novel Breakey could write.
A little more description: A bad dude finds a way to watch and control several people on a university campus. And then he tries to control young university cop Markus Haas. If you want to know how that turns out, read the book……
This book has been described as a thriller, as opposed to mystery/suspense. Those aspects are in the story also, but it is definitely a thriller. Honestly: the book is genius. The plot was awesome, not to overuse that word. The author came up with some great characters and wove them and the action together in a way that really made the story pull you in and make you not want to leave. It is definitely not a predicable book. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something would happen unexpected. And when the guilty party was revealed….I never saw that coming.
Markus Haas was the main character, and a very likable one at that, determined to protect his girlfriend and her two little girls at any cost, and determined not to be a puppet for a madman. The book is a little more intense than a lot of suspense novels on the Christian market, but it still has a message of faith and God being in control. I enjoyed the book a lot, and it looks like this is the first book in a series, so hopefully there are more to come. It His debut novel is a definite 5 star book.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
Psychological Thrillers are my favorite genre ever!!! I love the chase for the bad guy and the noose getting tighter and tighter on the characters where they have no choice but to listen and do what is asked. The String by Caleb Breakey is a wonderful story. The first chapter is little confusing, and I had to read it two times to move past it, but after that, the novel took off. And I mean, it took off and didn’t stop. I kept flying through the story and didn’t want to put it down. I wanted the Conductor caught. Who was he? I had a couple of suspicions, but the novel kept barreling ahead. Breakey did exactly what I expected and wanted. The characters’ lives were in danger, and the climactic moment kept rushing toward me. This story was original but reminded me of a Steven James’ novel with its format and the main character of Haas reminded me of Patrick Bowers on some level. While the plot did keep my attention glued to the page, the ending was a little bit of a letdown. I can’t say why because then it would be a spoiler. You have to read and see if you agree with me. Overall, The String was a well-crafted and original story that leaves me begging for the second book in the series. Fans of Steven James and Lynette Eason should pick this book up. BUT as a word of caution, if you like safe suspense like Colleen Coble, Irene Hannon, or DiAnne Mills, this novel, I believe, might not be the one for you.
I received a complimentary copy of The String by Caleb Breakey from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
First, a warning to readers. If you are easily distressed or frightened by violence or if content is something that sinks into your psyche and flows into your dreams, you may want to skip this debut novel. But for everyone else who enjoys a good thriller and can handle the suspense, violence, and psychological warfare, this book should be your next read. Fans of Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti will enjoy this new voice in the thriller genre.
Caleb Breakey’s debut novel introduces a cast of characters who are unwittingly cast in a cat-and-mouse game by a madman whose goal is to destroy the people he puts on his string. And while the characters can be confusing at first, as their personalities and roles are unwrapped throughout the book, they fit into their places.
As The Conductor reels his prey into his web, readers will appreciate that these are intelligent people who fight to break the villain’s control. They don’t hunker down in a corner and cower. They act. Even the women in the cast have an important role in uncovering the truth of The Conductor’s motives.
While the spiritual content isn’t overt, it’s there. Because much of what’s in our hearts and minds impacts the way we react to our circumstances, just as the characters in The String do.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
This is a mind-blowing read, and once a few pages are turned your hooked, and even when the last page is turned, you realize that more is about to happen.
How would you like to receive this memo?
Rule #1: Participation is mandatory.
Rule #2: If anyone refuses to play, all threats will come to pass.
Game on.
Yes, this is how it begins, and you can’t even imagine how it is played out. Most I never saw coming, and surprises abound here, and don’t rule anyone out.
Most of all who will survive to the end? A lot don’t make it, and they tried playing by the rules, the rules of a sociopath, and evil is sure raising its ugly head here.
I received this book through Revell Blogger Program, and was not required to give a positive review
Other than the publisher and some miscellaneous references to God and prayer, I would not have known that this was a Christian book. Yes, it was a “clean” read as far as language is concerned, but there was a lot of violence, so just be prepared for it. The premise is that a man calling himself The Conductor has taken over a small college town and is wreaking havoc commanding people to do things because he controls their “string.” He either has family members or loved ones in imminent danger or he has blackmail to use. Without giving too much away, I will say that this book reads more like a Dean Koontz thriller than any Christian thriller that I have ever read. That is not to say that it is not a good book because it is. It moves very quickly with characters that are either definitely good guys or definitely under the control of The Conductor. The explosive ending finally reveals who he is although the reason for his revenge is exposed earlier in the book. Fans of thrillers will enjoy this book, but it may not be everyone’s cup of tea because of the violence or implied threat of violence that is prevalent.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Revell Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Well, folks, if you’ve wondered who will take up the mantle of the likes of Ted Dekker or Frank Peretti, the answer is here: Caleb Breakey. I will say that “The String” is similar to the more difficult books of those two authors, with heavy subject matter, some gore and lots of action that will give you heart palpitations.
Markus Haas is a university cop who dreams of more. He’s on par with the local SWAT team, but never fully embraced as one of them. A few years back, Markus helped break up a sex ring operating on campus, earning himself some recognition, but not much respect. He works his job, does what he has to and has made a living for himself getting to know the students and campus he serves. He has found love with Stephanie, a woman who has escaped an abusive marriage, along with her daughters, who think the world of Markus.
But Markus will not be able to remain the stable, quiet lawman for long. A sociopath calling himself The Conductor begins to lay the foundation for his master plan, with Markus placed squarely in the middle. Once he detonates a bomb on campus, the terrifying nature of The Conductor’s strategy is set in motion, and Markus finds himself unaware of just how many people it involves.
As The Conductor communicates through text messages, tablets that are delivered by messengers who are blackmailed into helping, as well as phone calls, Markus begins to realize he will have to work harder than ever to unravel the web that’s been spun. But what will the cost be to those around him? To Stephanie and the girls? To his future?
The book runs at a frenetic pace, keeping the reader enthralled and repeating “Just one more page!” I absolutely loved the story, characters and the sense of urgency that I got each time I opened the book. I will say that this book can be graphic due to the nature of the sociopath involved and the fact that the villian is extremely intelligent, covering all his angles, no matter the cost. If you’re interested in books or television related to criminals and their behaviors, such as “Criminal Minds” or “CSI,” this book would be right up your alley. I recall feeling as though there were times I read Dekker or Peretti and was aghast at some of the behaviors of the antagonists, and “The String” was familiar in that respect. There are very clear demarkations of who is the villian and who are the heroes by the final page–even some I didn’t expect.
The faith journeys of the characters are mismatched, as Stephanie is more advanced in her faith than Markus, but it leaves room for his growth throughout the challenges they face together. I understand this book is the start of a series (YAY!) and am interested to see Markus’s development in the coming stories ahead. That’s probably the only suggestion I could add. The book was well written, action packed and hard to put down, which I believe are the hallmarks of a great author.
Kudos, Mr. Breakey–I can’t wait for the next installment of the books! I read an early review copy, thanks to #LibraryThing, Revell Books and Baker Publishing. I chose to leave a review and all opinions are my own. If you miss out on this one, it’s your fault!
Chilling and utterly compelling.
The Conductor was a truly disturbed individual, a madman who blackmails others into doing reprehensible things in a sick game he calls “the string”. It took me a few chapters to really get into, but it wasn’t long before I was sailing through the pages, completely sucked in, and not wanting to put it down.
My heart was constantly racing and my anxiety was high. Time moved by without me noticing and there came a point where I couldn’t stop for anything. I simply had to ignore “real life” things in order to finish this pulse-pounding read.
The String was an unpredictable and masterful thriller from author Caleb Breakey. It’ll make the reader ponder what they’d do if they were put into a situation like this. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to see what comes next!
I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.