Today I am reviewing The Accident by Chris Pavone for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
About the book (from the publisher): In New York, in the early dawn hours, literary agent Isabel Reed is reading frantically, turning the pages breathlessly. The manuscript – printed out, hand-delivered and totally anonymous – is full of shocking revelations that could bring down one of the most powerful men in the world, and initiate a tremendous scandal implicating multiple American presidents and CIA directors. This is what Isabel has been waiting for: a book that will help her move on from a painful past, a book that could help reinvigorate her career… a book that will change the world.
In Copenhagen, CIA agent Hayden Gray has been steadfastly monitoring the dangers that abound in Europe. His latest task is to track a manuscript – the same manuscript that Isabel is reading. As he ensures that The Accident remains unpublished, he’s drawn into an elite circle where politics, media and business collide. On the one hand, the powerful mogul who has unlimited resources to get what he wants. On the other, a group of book professionals – an eager assistant, a flailing editor, an ambitious rights director, and a desperate publisher – who all see their separate salvations in this project. And, in between, the author himself, hiding behind shadowy anonymity in what he hopes is safe, quiet Zurich.
In this tangled web, no one knows who holds all the cards, and the stakes couldn’t be higher: an empire could crumble, careers could be launched or ruined, secrets could be unearthed, and innocent people could – and do – die.
My review: I reviewed Chris Pavone’s The Expats in January 2013 and said in that review: “I guarantee you will not be able to put this book down.” I can unreservedly say the same for The Accident. Pavone is such a good writer, so skilled at pacing and character development, so adept at painting a scene, a city, an environment, that this book springs to life on page one. You hit the ground running, never stopping until the end.
The story – that of a manuscript so potentially inflammable that certain people and agencies will do anything to stop its publication – is completely compelling. And totally believable, I might add. It is a fast-paced thriller that keeps the reader guessing until the last page.
Pavone has a gift for storytelling. I love the way he writes about each character. Whether the character is major or minor, he paints with deft strokes, giving us details that immediately make the character come alive on the page. He manages to write about environment – whether that of New York or Zurich or Long Island – with such sharp and evocative details that you feel you are there, right in the midst of it. And he knows how to plot, going back and forth between characters, occasionally giving us a section of the manuscript for The Accident, building tension throughout.
I also found the world of book publishing to be absolutely fascinating and Pavone, who was a book editor for many years, clearly knows that world. Not only does he create the environment of a publishing house, he writes about the changes in that world and how they affect publishers and editors and book deals and bookstores. As a lover of books, that sort of stuff is irresistible.
Power, money, fear, secrets, redemption, betrayal – it’s all there in the pages of The Accident. I loved it. I couldn’t put it down. I’m sure you will love it, too.
About the author: Chris Pavone is the author of The New York Times-best selling The Expats, winner of the Edgar award. He was a book editor for nearly two decades and lives in New York City with his family.
Lucky, lucky you! One of you will win a copy of this book. Just leave a comment on this post and you will be entered for this giveaway. I will pick the winner on Friday evening. Good luck!
Happy Tuesday.
The author is cute, book sounds great and on top of all that, you are giving a copy away. Now if only I could win, that would make my Friday.
Glad your mother is getting out of the hospital and that she is better.
I’m adding both books by this author to my “to read” list…I like the sound of them!
Wow! This sounds great. I’d like to read both of the books. Put me in for the drawing, please!
Just went to Amazon and read the first two pages of “The Expats,” and I’m hooked! Thanks for a chance to win this one, which sounds really good as well.
Since I am an English major with a concentration in literature and one in creative writing i would love to have a copy of this book. The story sounds compelling and reading is my favorite passtime. Thanks for a chance to win this book.
Love the sound of this book. Adding this author to my list and hoping his books are at my library! Fingers crossed I win this one!
hugs,
Linda
Sounds intriguing! Count me in! And, as usual…thanks for the opportunity! ;)
HI Claudia, so glad to hear your Mom is moving back to the nursing home (though, like you, I know my Mom was not living the life she — or we — would have chosen for her when she was in the medical wing of the retirement facility my parents had moved to years before). I’ll be thinking of her and your family and hoping all improves soon. Studio looks great! And the book sounds grat too. I have not heard of this author and would love a chance at winning the book. Thank you!
Claudia–I am running out of Inspector Gamache books so I would love to have the opportunity to read The Accident! And thank you for your recommendation of Louise Penny…isn’t it always great to find a new amazing author?!
I read your review of The Expats and it is on my loooong list of books to read. I would love to try this one. Thanks for the opportunity.
I agree, the book sounds fascinating. I have been a reader of only literary fiction, non-fiction, biography and humor for so long. It’s only over the last few years that I’ve gotten into thrillers, suspense and mystery. It has opened a whole new world to me and it’s so exciting. I would love to win this book!
I read your blog everyday, Claudia, and have commented a couple of times before. I’m the one with the same red shoes as you. :) Anyway, I want to thank you for blogging everyday the way you do. It is such a gift to your readers. There are other blogs I enjoy, but have to wait and keep checking in to see if they’d added anything new. I completely understand this. Life gets in the way! I haven’t even started my own blog yet. But the point is, knowing how precious time is, the fact that you blog everyday is extraordinary. Thank you so much for your time, your wisdom, and for sharing your precious family and beautiful home with us daily.
Been secretly lurching on your site for two years because of your simplicity, authenticity and……… would marry Don if I could.
I’m making this leap of faith ( a comment) because I know my husband would love to read this book.
Hudson.
Sounds like a really good book. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Sounds like a good book!
The new book you reviewed sounds good. You also reviewed The Returned was wondering if you watched the show Resurrection on Sunday night. It was loosely based on The Return.
Your review puts The Accident on the top of my list!
Sounds like a good read Claudia. I’m always looking for new authors to check out :)
Claudia, your reviews are as compelling as any thriller….and thanks for the opportunity to win this book. Now I’m going to check out “The Expats” as well.
I want to win even if it means pulling myself away from the final Louise Penny series which you reviewed and made me start reading.
I also read The Expats and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading his latest book, too!
This sounds like a good one, Claudia! Color me dying to win it.
Sounds like a wonderful read! I need a new book to read in the hammock if spring ever arrives!
Sounds like a great book to read for a wild escape without leaving home.
Great storyline! Thank you for the chance to win a copy. Your book reviews are increasing my wish list for my Paperwhite. lol. I’m also looking forward to reading “We” by Michael Landweber.
Would love to win this. Sounds like a great read. xo Laura
My New Year’s Resolution was to read one book a month.I would love to add this one to the list! Thanks for the chance to win such a great book! :)
Thanks for the chance to win the book. Review makes it sound very interesting. Love the blinds featured in Wednesday’s blog…..a little behind on my blog reading! Spring is coming! Not soon enough!
Sounds like a great thriller, count me in please
My DH loves spy thrillers , but I always have such a difficult time picking out ones I think he will enjoy. Am definitely going to purchase Epats and this one sounds good also. Thank you for the reviews.
Sounds like quite the yarn! It’d be fun to read and even more fun to win.
Oops — think I left my comment as a reply to someone rather than a comment. Darn phone makes it hard to do some things.
I would love to have this book to read, as I think you have great taste in books, judging from your reviews of books I have read. Love your blog. A
Hi Claudia. Thank you for reviewing this book. I didn’t mind getting a peak at the author either. :) – Heather
The Accident sounds like a book that is sure to hold the readers attention from start to finish.
Sounds like an absolute page-turner. If I found a manuscript, I’d read it, too! : )
I’m glad to see that this was such a page-turner! Thanks for being a part of the tour.