Eye for Eye

Holy cow, was this a tight, juicy thriller.

All I can say is that I sure hope I am never on J. K. Franco's bad side because he or she could disappear me and never leave a trace! This writer has done his/her due diligence in research and it shows in this smart, well-crafted book.

I love the ethical question posed by this book. What is right and what is wrong when you've lost someone precious and the system you trusted fails you?

I highly recommend and I'm looking forward to the next one!

Thank you to J.K. Franco, Cameron Publicity & Marketing Ltd, and Netgalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a really good read. It's an unusual style that, for me, took some getting used to. However, once I did, it's a gripping tale about murder, revenge, right and wrong and relationships.

It's got ethical dilemmas, failed justice and grief and it's very well written.

Thanks to Netgalley, publishers and the author for the opportunity to preview this book in exchange for my honest review.

5 Stars from me

What is it they say about not judging a book by its cover... Well with a cover as striking as this one I couldn't help but be intrigued and Book 1 of the Talion Series - Eye for Eye by JK Franko did not disappoint.Eye for Eye has it all from murder, mystery, clever cover ups and hidden secrets to police questioning, allegations of rape and many questions of morality along the way.

The characters are well defined and relatable and the scene imagery is stunning, you'll see for yourself when you read it but there are so many descriptive passages that leap off the page and into your mind.Although this is primarily a crime thriller, there is a subtle undercurrent of a wicked sense of humour throughout which particularly appealed to me.

This is a beautifully crafted example of an intelligent thriller. I can honestly say I was hooked from the first few pages of the book and I can't wait for the next one in the series; this debut author has truly made his mark.

As ever, no spoilers from me!If having a brilliant book isn't enough, there is a brilliant book launch coming up soon too - details are here if you fancy coming along to Covent Garden https://jkfranko.com/2019/03/01/limited-vip-fan-tickets-giveaway-be-part-of-the-story-at-eye-for-eyes-london-book-launch/

Synopsis: When I first met Susie, she appeared to be a normal, happily-married woman dealing with tragedy. Then, I uncovered her secrets. While I could understand everything that she’d done, I could never approve.But, knowing what she was capable of, it became clear that if I was going to survive her, I had to play by her rules. And, the first and most important rule is... leave no singing bones.

This book is told by a third person, who'll stay unknown until the end of this book.
I love to watch documentary reports on TV like True Crime or Medical Detectives. This book is written more like a documentary of a crime and less like a thriller.
The first 40% of the book is a narrative about the life of the protagonists, their fears, tragedies and above all, their insecurities. I have to admit, it was a bit boring at times 🤷🏻‍♀.
But after that, the questions about the meaning of the Old Testament began.
"What does it say, in the Old Testament? " "The law of talion"
"An eye for an eye"
"It's like Game of Thrones. When a lord condemns someone to death, he acts as the executioner. If you pass sentence, you should swing the sword. "
The question the author asks is what would you do when the law lets you down and you as a normal person can't do anything about it.
How far are you ready to go if the law fails you?
The book is a long story about justice and crime in the Old Testament meaning. About half truths and lies, to hide pain and guilt. About a couple trying to survive a tragedy, in a way that is certainly not understandable to all, or maybe it's? So again there is the question, what would you do to avenge your loved ones.
Would you seek revenge, or can you forgive and forget?
This book was more of a philosophical reflection to me than a thriller, on what would I do in this situation.
I hope I will never find an answer to this question 🤔😉

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars.

This was definitely an entertaining book. It centered around 2 couples whose daughters had been wronged and the need for retribution. I thought the question of what to do in a situation like this was interesting but I was actually more entertained by the planning of the retribution. I also enjoyed the initial settings of Beaver Creek, a favorite ski hill, and Miami and Bimini. I agree with another reviewer who thought this read more like a documentary because throughout there weren’t a lot of surprises or twists and turns but there were some reveals at the end that I didn’t see coming including a sort of segue into book 2 which I will definitely want to read.

This was a cracking read, I am excited to find a new author that I liked so much.The story had lots going on and plenty of unexpected twists and turns.I liked the two main characters and thought they seemed quite believable , I am desperately trying not to give anything away,I certainly don't want to spoil it for other readers.Maybe I will just say if you enjoy twists and well written thrillers then pull up a seat and I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.Thanks to the publishers and netgalley for an ARC.

I loved this book! I could not put I’t down I definitely recommend and plan on purchasing so I can reread it in the future.

I really have nothing to say about this book that hasn't already been said! This one grips you from the get-go and you'll find yourself turning the pages regardless of the time & place you are at. Atleast this was the case with me. Dark, twisted and so so so compelling! So much so, I am still having trouble concentrating on my next book because I was so blown away by the sheer brilliance of Eye for Eye. Everytime I make an attempt to read a chapter in my new book, I find myself invariably thinking about the plot of Eye for Eye and how it was executed. Great characters as well (I don't know what this says about me as a person, but there it is). And now that I know that there are atleast 2 more books in the series, I can't stop fantasizing about reading the next one. If this is the bar Mr. Franko sets for his debut (in fiction) then I can't really wait for the next two. Just can't! I think I have a new favorite!!
Oh and very cool website , too!
Thank you Netgalley, J. K. Franko & Cameron Publicity & Marketing Ltd. for an arc.

An excellent thriller! Kudos to the writer for bringing the characters to life, and for making the plot so fascinating. I enjoyed the book very much and woul love to read more by this talented author.

This book was fantastically written and gripping from the beginning. This book makes you question just what would you do if someone you love was ripped tragically from you and fate drops someone in your lap that could possibly get you the retribution for that person. Is revenge and plotting revenge worth it and all it is supposed to be? or is it make you question everything? Thank you NetGalley for allowing the chance to read this book. I am excited to read the rest of this series.

"Eye for Eye" by J. K. Franko.

My first time reading that author.

I had mixed feelings at first because it felt a bit like a documentary but I couldn't keep my eyes away and it quickly became better and better.

A really good creepy intelligent thriller, well written.
Close to reality. When the system fails you there is only one thing on your mind REVENGE! Or there are those who can forgive and forget...

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book was really quite intriguing and thoroughly enjoyable to read. Very descriptive and informative. Lots of research must have been done and then to have been written in such detail, amazing. It certainly held my attention. Quite looking forward to the next book out later this year. This book has a different story line and one I have not read before.

The Bible says that an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth is suitable revenge. But modern society doesn't subscribe to this.... Where do you draw the line then?
This was a fantastic read, and I can't wait for book number 2!

Eye for Eye is a fantastic thriller that pulls you right into the story and is a rollercoaster of a ride. Loved the writing and the characters. I could not out this book down. I can't read more from this author.

Eye For Eye was the twistiest most absorbing tale I’ve read recently, an intelligent and completely compelling literary thriller that is devilishly plotted.

The concept gives a nod in the direction of “Strangers On A Train” but then goes off into multiple, equally fascinating directions with retribution as the underlying theme and a cast of characters that make the most unreliable of unreliable narrators look like bastions of truth.

Incredibly addictive and beautifully written, J K Franko weaves an intricate web with the reader caught in the centre of it- murder, betrayal, secrets and lies, all here in one hugely gripping story that is honestly unpredictable.

With a magnificently elegant hook into the next novel finale, I honestly can’t wait for the next book in the series. Eye For Eye has the benefit of being both a page turner of a psychological thriller and a talented piece of immersive writing creating a perfect storm that will get you hook, line and sinker.

Brilliant. Highly Recommended.

I don't even know how to begin to describe this book!! When I finished it one word that popped in my head was Masterpiece!! Well it can most certainly be described as a masterpiece in it's genre. The book is brilliantly written and the story is masterfully crafted. The characters are so brilliantly created, their backstory so brilliantly crafted that the pages just flow and before I realized it the book was finished!! And kudos to Mr Franko for such a brilliant story and the best part was that he left breadcrumbs all over the book and I still wasn't able to massive train sized twist coming till it just smacked me in the face. All I could say at that point was Wow!! The book is well researched and every bit thought out and painstakingly carved out in words. This is by far one the the best books that I've read and I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone who would or wouldn't care to listen. And a big thank you to NetGalley and Cameron Publicity & Marketing Ltd for giving me this ARC to read in exchange of my honest review. And now a long and arduous wait for next books in the series.

The law of talion - lex talionis - requires punishment of an injury by inflicting a similar injury on the offender, an injury similar in kind and degree. An eye for an eye, a fracture for a fracture, a tooth for a tooth. Old Testament justice, but just how literally would most people take it to mean? The book begins with a prologue that dates back many years to the death of a child. Just how this fits into the story becomes apparent much much later. We first meet Roy and Susie Cruise on a skiing holiday in Colorado where a television show sparks a conversation about meting out justice. Roy has risen up from a lowly background to making a huge success of his investment company Cruise Capital and together with ex television reporter Susie, the couple are extremely wealthy. They live in Miami in a wonderful house with luxury boats moored on their own dock. The only blight on their lives is the loss of their teenage daughter Camilla in a car accident where the other driver was to blame, texting at the time. Susie has since worked tirelessly to get the punishment for this type of offence raised significantly but has lately found it hasn't really helped her over her child's death. Whilst on their trip they run into another couple, Deb and Tom Wise, who have also encountered a tragic experience with their daughter Kristy and who put a very strange proposal to Roy. Shocked, Roy backs away but months later discusses it with Susie and the couple decide that whilst they cannot avenge Camilla's death (the culprit has already passed away), it might help them to provide someone else with a similar form of justice. They love each other and will do anything to keep each other happy. And so a daring plan is hatched by Roy, and planning is what Roy does best in his business life, so everything is mapped out in detail and nothing left to chance. As he puts it, leave no singing bones. Whilst they start to set it all in place, in Miami Detective Eddie Garza is being asked by a reporter to take yet another look at the death of Liam Bareto, the driver involved in Camilla's accident, by his mother. She is convinced he did not die from natural causes and refuses to let it drop. As the story continues and plans are executed, Eddie follows his hunches and finds he has a lot more suspicious cases to investigate. This complicated plot unravels slowly as the book progresses, with illuminating flashbacks to critical points in time that show how the main players have become the people they are now. However some of them are keeping secrets from the law and from each other, and will go to extreme lengths to protect themselves. This is a story full of shocking action and suspense, told by an unknown narrator who sees all and whose role is revealed at the end as all the various strands are woven together. The author leaves the reader on a massive cliff hanger that leads brilliantly onto book number two as more retribution needs to be served. 4.5*