Matt Witten

Molto bello, un thriller avvincente, ricco di suspence dalla prima all’ultima riga.
Il brutale omicidio della figlia di sette anni ha sconvolto la vita di Susan Lentigo e ora, dopo venti anni, inizia il viaggio che la porterà dallo stato di New York, dove vive, fino in North Dakota per assistere all’esecuzione del suo assassino.
Un viaggio che si rivelerà irto di insidie e riflessioni sugli avvenimenti che hanno portato alla morte della figlia sino ad iniziare a dubitare della colpevolezza dell’uomo, all'epoca reo confesso, che attende il suo destino nella cella della morte.
Inizierà, allora, una corsa contro il tempo per riuscire ad arrivare a quella verità che potrebbe rivelarsi ancora più sconvolgente.
Scritto benissimo, riesce a mantenere costantemente accesa l’attenzione in un crescendo di emozioni e tensione fino alle ultime pagine e al momento in cui, finalmente, tutti i dubbi e le incertezze si sciolgono per svelare cosa realmente accadde quel maledetto giorno.
Una storia ben congegnata che oltre a trattare un tema delicato come l’abuso su minori, fa riflettere sulla giustizia e la pena di morte e su quanto sia difficile e complesso arrivare alla verità.… (más)

The Necklace by Matt Witten

Susan Lentigo is setting out on a journey from the Adirondacks to North Dakota to witness the execution of the man who raped and murdered Amy, her young daughter, twenty years ago.

Susan and Amy made a necklace with colorful beads just days before the murder. Amy loved the necklace and wore it constantly, vowing to never take it off. The convicted murderer, a man Susan calls The Monster, had confessed to the crime. While there was an admission of guilt Amy's necklace was never found.

Susan’s trip starts badly. She abandons plans of driving her old car and must take a bus. She meets some friendly people, others not so. Money is lost, hope nearly is. Susan is focused on one goal, and that is to get to North Dakota in time for the execution.

With little else to do on her bus ride, Susan thinks about the days surrounding the murder. Conversations with police and FBI investigators, neighbors, family, and friends are revisited. The missing necklace is always on her mind.

Despite herself, Susan begins to wonder if The Monster is truly responsible for Amy’s murder. The closer she gets to North Dakota and the execution, the more doubt she has.

I enjoyed the book, and the latter half was simply unputdownable. Several times I felt as if I were watching a slow-motion crash. I couldn’t look away, even though the suspense in a couple spots was palpable.… (más)

I love that the story alternates between the present and the past. It keeps you engaged throughout the story as you learn tidbits from each timeline to help you piece together what happened. I liked the cover before I read this book and I absolutely love it now that I have finished the book. The cover becomes much more sinister once you know the whole story. I thought the a-ha moment that Susan had was written really well. You can see Susan making the connections and putting the pieces together. Looking forward to reading more of Matt's books in the future.… (más)