"Broken" by John Rector presents a gripping narrative set against a backdrop of suspense and psychological drama. Rector's prose is sharp and concise, making for a fast-paced read that draws the reader into the unfolding mystery from the very beginning. The protagonist's journey is filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep the pages turning, although at times, the plot twists feel a bit too convenient and undermine the story's credibility. While the characters are intriguing, they could benefit from more depth and development to fully engage the reader's empathy and understanding. Overall, "Broken" offers an entertaining albeit somewhat predictable experience for fans of the thriller genre, serving up suspense and intrigue in a package that leaves room for deeper exploration.

I really wanted to like this book. The cover and blurb were appealing. There was a lot of missed potential here. :(

This was a quick read that I thought was just going to be alright. After reading the synopsis, I thought it would be just an average story in the genre. But I was wrong. I enjoyed this book from the first to the very last page!

I received a free copy of this for review from NetGalley.

This was a fun easy read.

What I really enjoyed was that while I was surprised that so much was given away early on in the story, it still didn't tell me what the ending was going to be!

This novel is technically sound: solid writing, unique characters, an interesting setting. But there was nothing unexpected here. I found it basically predictable—yes, even the carnival psychic—with just a tiny bit of creepy due to the setting (empty tourist town).

Maggie was not a likable character to me at all. Hateful, judgmental, and a liar, to boot. (Yes, I know what Mike was a horrible person to her sister, but still, what she did to him was Wrong.) I ended up feeling little to no sympathy for her, and that made the whole book just “meh.”

The cover art is fantastic and drew me right in. It was a good quick thriller that read rather quick. A good read for the weekend.

Broken is the first book that I read by John Rector and I was very positively surprised. It is a fast-paced story, with some creepy parts, some very thrilling ones, and lots of action. The characters are believable and dense and the story has so many twists and turns that you just can't put the book down, you must get to the end to understand everything.
I downloaded a free copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

I was drawn to this book by the synopsis and cover art. It is certainly an intriguing looking thriller.

I thought the dual narratives were a unique take on the thriller but unfortunately this did not work for my reading tastes. I felt the mystery of the story was a let down in telling it this way. I did not find enough character growth to make me invested in their outcomes and the dialogue and writing felt a bit more simplistic than my preferences.

Overall this book did not work for me, but I could see readers looking for a quick thriller maybe enjoying this. Again the cover art is very good!

I absolutely loved this book. It's got a creepy elements to it from what I can remember. It takes place at an old abandoned carnival. Yeah, pops off from there. How broken is being truly broken and winners being broken enough?

I read this book through NetGalley. It’s my first read by John Rector. It is a thrilling story of estranged twins m. One dies at the hands of her abusive husband and the other is there to pick up the pieces.

Broken
by John Rector
3 Stars

A slow, hard read.

The author has not done the reader any favourers in this slow thriller. If you push through, the ending will excite, but it takes a lot of work on behalf on the reader to get there.

In my opinion, the tension needs tightening, which would come from clever editing. The fact that the tension takes so long to build does not help the reader.

It gets three stars, only because I made it to the end. Many will have given up before then.

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This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review.

# Broken #NetGalley

I found this book to be a quick and easy read. While not the greatest story I've ever read I did find it pretty interesting. The story just wasn't as much much of a "shocking thriller" as it's labeled. I gave it three stars.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book. If you’re looking for a fast paced, suspenseful thriller this is it. So glad I picked this up.

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for the advanced e-reader copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoyed this book. The pacing and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, flipping the pages because I had to know what would happen next. I’m glad the cover caught my eye and the synopsis hooked me from the minute I read what kind of story I was getting myself into.

Broken is considered a shocking thriller according to the blurb, but I didn't quite get that from it. It just didn't have that oomph I expect in a good thriller, and I wasn't at all shocked - not even once. I suppose I would label it a mystery, but it isn't particularly mysterious either. The villain is sufficiently unhinged, but it was just all too predictable for me. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad story by any means, it's just not a memorable story either. I feel like it needed more suspense to drive home the creepy story that it had the potential to be. Basically, if you don't mind knowing the answers from the start, then this book will most likely work much better for you than it did for me. As it stands, it was just an okay read - it was all right for a whiling away a couple of hours, but it's not really a standout book that I'll think about later.

This book was great from the beginning. Hope to read more of Johns writings. Realistic Events, Interesting Characters

I'm now a fan of John Rector's books! A great thriller I couldn't put down and read in one day! Rector has well developed characters and a story line that keeps moving from beginning to end. I'd love to see a sequel to this book to find out how the characters have moved on in their lives. If you liked this book you have to read "Cold Kiss".

Maggie and Lilly are twins that haven’t spoken in over a year. Maggie hates Lilly’s boyfriend and how he treats her.

Fast forward and Lilly has now married her abusive boyfriend. She and Maggie do not speak anymore. Maggie gets a phone call one day that her sister is dead. Killed by her new husband. Maggie must come identify the body.

The story is told by 2 different people. I liked that. Pretty interesting read. I would recommend.

The psychic was my favorite character. Wish there was more of her!!

Broken by John Rector was one of my favorite reads of 2020. This quick paced thriller kept me guessing until the very end! I enjoyed psychological thrillers and this one is a must read.

This novel is told through two different people's eyes. I thought Rector did a great job seamlessly blending their stories. Broken is a family thriller taken to the next level. Maggie wants her sister to break up with her abusive boyfriend. Lilly does not want to break up with her boyfriend, Mike. When Lilly and Mike leave town, that is when this story speeds up. Maggie has not talked with her sister for over a year when she finds out Lilly is dead and it is Maggie who needs to identify the body. Mike is framed for the murder, but did he really do it and if he didn't, who did?

Broken by John Rector is a mystery about twin sisters Maggie and Lilly James whose relationship had fallen apart due to Lilly’s love interest, Mike. Maggie had unsuccessfully tried to convince Lilly that being abused by Mike was not acceptable and that she should leave him. A few years later, Maggie is notified that Lilly has been murdered and she needs to go to Beaumont Cove to identify her twin’s body. Mike has been arrested for murder and is in jail and maintains that he is innocent. Maggie realizes that all is not as it seems and begins investigating on her own with the help of a local private investigator. This is the first John Rector novel I have had the pleasure to read but I hope to read more. This mystery has troubled, interesting characters and a great plot. Highly recommended. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.