Thriller

I've enjoyed Rosenfelt's "Andy Carpenter" series of books, and had high hopes for this one with a different main character. While I understand that books like "On Borrowed Time" are meant to entertain, I would have liked the book a lot more if I didn't find the concept in the book a little convoluted and far fetched. ( )

It was interesting, with a slightly sci-fi twist. Likeable characters and a good plot. ( )

This book had such a bizarre concept that I knew it couldn't possibly live up to my expectations. To my surprise, it partially succeeded. As the story starts out, Richard Kilmer is a freelance journalist who is crazy about his girlfriend Jennifer. He takes her home to meet her parents, a diamond engagement ring ready in his pocket. After sneaking out to have sex in the family gazebo, he impulsively asks Jennifer to marry him and is overjoyed when she accepts. The next day while they are out driving a freak storm throws their car off the road. When Richard comes to, Jennifer is nowhere to be found. Not only that, no one in the small town remembers her (or Richard). Returning to Jennifer's parents' house he is confronted with her mother who doesn't remember him, and a house that looks nothing like it did earlier. Her daughter, the woman says, died when she was three and her husband committed suicide in the gazebo that [i]used[/i] to be in their back yard. Fearing he is losing his mind, Richard returns home to find all traces of Jennifer gone from their home, and none of his friends her either. The more Richard searches for answers about what happened to him and where Jennifer is, the more questions he finds.

Alright, with a premise like this there's only so many ways this story could be resolved. Even with that, the plot was interesting and this was a real page-turner of a book. Although there was obviously a conspiracy, I didn't guess who was involved. And the people I thought were involved weren't. So although this story was a bit predictable, it was still told well and held a few surprises. Three and a half stars. ( )

From Leafmarks:
What if it were possible that your most cherished memories were lies... and that finding out the truth could cost you your life?
Richard Kilmer is head over heels in love with Jennifer Ryan, who takes him home to meet her parents, where she accepts his marriage proposal. While visiting, they set out on a nostalgic drive up to Kendrick Falls. On their way there, a freak storm rolls in, Richard loses control of his car, and it rolls. When the storm clears in a matter of seconds, Jen is gone. Richard can't find her, and neither can the police who respond to the scene. More horrifying is that no one in Richard's life will even confirm Jen's existence, and all traces of her have disappeared.
Where could she be? Has Richard lost his mind, or has something far worse happened?
David Rosenfelt's "On Borrowed Time "is a stunning new thriller about an ordinary man who is trapped in a nightmare where he can't be certain of anything--not even his own memories.

My Thoughts:
I listened to the audio book and it was very enjoyable. There were a few times I thought the narrator was a little "high school play" about it, but overall it was very nicely done. It totally helped that the victim's name was the same as my own and they talked a lot about Wisconsin, the Packers and a lot of things I am all too familiar with. It was also very engaging and I found myself paying attention more than I have thus far with audio books. I thought I had it all figured out, and I was close, but not close enough, which I liked. I will seek more from this author for sure.
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