Wow - I just loved this book! Brad Parks has nailed the desperation, paranoia and frustration of a fairly ordinary guy in an extraordinary situation of overwhelming proportions and Parks managed to chill me to the bone throughout the entire book. He may cut some corners here and there, but the twists and turns are believable and set a terrific pace for the story that gripped from cover to cover.
Fans of masters of the genre like Joseph Finder, Harlan Coben, John Gilstrap and Jeff Abbott should definitely check out this book - and also what Brad Parks has written in the past.

Gripping is the word best suited to describe this wonderful phsychological thriller from Brad Parks.

Alison thinks her husband (Judge Scott Sampson) has picked the kids up from school as he usually does on a Wednesday, but Scott received a text from Alison saying that she'd pick them up - the only problem being, it wasn't Alison who sent the text! When Alison arrives home without the kids, Scott is about to ring the school when he receives a call saying the kids have been kidnapped and that he must do exactly as he's told in a drug case that he's about to rule on or the kids will be harmed.

This call is only the beginning of the most unimaginable journey of terror that a parent could ever have to suffer. The anguish turns Scott and Alison's lives upside down, and cracks begin to appear in their once loving marriage, with suspicion and jealousy rearing their ugly heads. As if all this isn't enough for them to contend with, fate has yet another cruel blow to deliver.

Oh gosh! This was a heartbreaking journey to follow, and their were times when I thought "for God's sake give these people a break!" It was a well thought out plot, the characters were well developed, and it was utterly compelling. I haven't read Brad Parks before, but I'll have to have a look at his earlier work now. A great read!

*Thank you to Netgalley and Faber & Faber for my ARC for which I have given an honest review*

I have to admit this book was a hard read. As a parent I literally had a knot in my stomach for the entire book. But what a fantastic read it was. The book centers around the kidnapping of Judge Scott Sampson and his wife Allison's twins Sam and Emma.
It becomes apparent that it all links to a case that the kidnappers want the judge took rule a certain way on. But what case and what ruling??
You follow the suspicions of Scott and end up feeling certain that you've got it....several times.
The main characters are so easy to warm to and you can feel your gut wrenching along side theirs. And you feel the absolute heartbreak as the truth unfolds.
This book is fantastically written and you're left feeling sad when it's over that you've finished it!
This is by far one of the best books I have read. Would highly reccomend.

3.5 stars

The book begins with every parent’s worst nightmare. Judge Scott Sampson & wife Alison get a phone call one afternoon & just like that, life as they know it is over. Someone has snatched their 6 year old twins. The instructions are simple: say nothing.

The next call concerns a drug case Scott is due to pass sentence on. It’s pretty open & shut but if he wants to see the twins again, he has no choice but to follow the kidnappers’ directions. He doesn’t know it yet but it’s just the first step in his dealings with a very organized & resourceful enemy.

This is a stand alone novel by the author of the popular Carter Ross series. Chapters alternate between the bad guys & the 2 MC’s so we get both sides of the story. Scott & Alison are in full on fight or flight mode & as the book progresses, cracks begin to appear as they struggle to make the right decisions. There’s more emphasis on action than character development but that’s a minor complaint for a book in this genre.

It’s a fast paced & emotionally charged read that should appeal to fans of straight up suspense/thrillers. And it might make wonder what you’re capable of if pushed too far.

This book gripping story is frantically paced,grabs hold of your imagination from the very first page,with brilliant characters,and a intriguing but emotional plot that will have you reading late into the night.
Absolutely loved it highly recommend it.

Love books about court rooms and this was about a judge and his family. I wont give anything away but made me keep guessing on who was involved. Good read!!

Actual rating 4.5 stars. This is a brilliant combination of child kidnapping, a legal thriller and a psychological thriller. It's blended wonderfully. I was really into this book from very early pages and the ending just about ripped my heart out!

Judge Sampson, his wife Alison and his two twins are a happy family. The Judge is well-respected and regarded for his decisions in the courtroom and life is fairly peachy.

Until one horrendous day when it all changes and darkness descends upon the family...

This book really kept me guessing - I had no idea of the reveals and twists that it through up at me and for that reason I was hooked. Wanting more and more. Judge Sampson has to make life and death choices that nobody should have to make. Will he do the right thing?

It's got got loads of surprises, full of suspects and suspicion- who the hell can you trust? Judge Scott Sampson can't let his kids down. He's a daddy after all. This is an intricate web of lies, blackmail and power play that will thrill readers. I really enjoyed this book hugely and it's very well-written.

Some scenes are very powerful especially at the end. I was choked up with tears.

Put this one on your to read list whether you like crime, child abduction cases, legal thrillers or family psychological dramas. It's all here. Awesome. 4.5 stars from me.

I received an ARC of this book thanks to the publisher via NetGalkey. All views are entirely my own and totally unbiased.

This is a fast paced and tense hybrid domestic and legal thriller set in Virginia that kept me totally glued to book until the end. It all begins with Judge Scott receiving a text from his wife telling him she will pick up their six year old twins, Sam and Emma, from school. Whilst resentful of missing the opportunity to spend time swimming with them, he thinks nothing more of it until his wife, Alison, comes home without them and says she sent no such text. At this point, Scott and Alison's lives begin to spiral out of control and sink to tortuous depths when Scott is contacted by their kidnappers who hammer home that he must do exactly as he is told if he wants to see the twins alive. It is reinforced that he is to say nothing to anyone unless he wants serious harm to befall them. Scott and Alison will do whatever it takes to ensure their beloved children return.

Scott is set a test to see whether he will follow orders on a specific court case that he is presiding over. Against all the prevailing evidence and testimony he frees a man that should have served at least 12 years in prison. This sets off an intense media focus on him, there are rumours of corruption, questioning and impugning Scott's integrity. His reputation is in tatters and he is facing the prospect of impeachment. His son, Sam, is returned but there are further expectations of him with regard to a high profile pharmaceutical patent hearing which Scott was unaware was on his list. Scott has no choice but to do as he is told, they still have Emma. Scott finds himself under extreme pressure, his relationship with his wife is now riddled with insecurities and suspicions, everyone is a suspect including Justina, the nanny, friends and his team at work. Where will it all end? He and his wife, Alison, find significant support from her family, particularly her sisters Karen and Jennifer.

Brad Parks does a sterling job in capturing the unravelling lives of Scott and Alison at the hands of ruthless and amoral kidnappers. It's every parents nightmare that their children should be so horrifically endangered. This is a well written and beautifully plotted book that holds the readers attention with ease and biting their nails at the tension, suspense and heartbreak. A brilliant read that comes highly recommended. Thanks to Faber and Faber for an ARC.