The President's Lawyer By Lawrence Robbins

Rob Jacobson is a high-powered Washington DC defense attorney whose best friend, since childhood, happens to be the former POTUS, Jack Cutler.   Former President Jack Cutler has an insatiable appetite for women and for taking things that are not his.  Jack’s most recent mistress, Amanda has been murdered. The investigating officers try and pin the murder on the former president and Rob has been asked to defend Jack in the case of a lifetime.  These two are connected in more ways than just being best friends. 

Told from Rob Jacobson’s POV, readers are giving not only an insight into the trial proceedings, but how the murder investigation works, forensic evidence inside of the trial proceedings, and the most important part, the dynamic relationship between Rob and Jack throughout their lives.  You see, the former president has a dark side.  One that you may not expect, but boys will be boys right?

This twisted legal thriller has clues dispersed throughout the book.  Maybe it is a background story, a clue that an investigator has added to the murder trial, or a conversation between a client and a therapist.  However, these come at you, you will be surprised multiple times as the story progresses.  Red herrings and individuals with possible motives abound. The verdict is in!  Lawrence Robbins has given us a don’t miss legal thriller with jaw dropping moments that will keep the pages turning. 

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Not Yours To Keep By Zelly Ruskin

Motherhood, adoption, fertility issues, unplanned pregnancy, domestic abuse and sexual assault of a minor are tough subjects.  They bring unwanted emotions and tears.  These topics can be filled with love and fear.  Zelly Ruskin has used her experience as a social worker to delicately weave these topics together in an amazing slow burn thriller that should not be missed.

Not Yours to Keep is told in alternating POV’s.  We have Billie Campbell, an adoption specialist.  Her heart is in her job, but she and her husband, Tyler are experiencing some tough infertility issues and loss of pregnancies as they make their way through their day to day lives.  Tyler Campbell, Billie’s husband, is a very hard-working attorney who is trying to make junior partner.  Tyler has his doubts about becoming a father and starting a family because of Billie’s health issues (and a few other reasons – no spoilers).  Then, we have Anne.  Anne has a connection to Tyler that builds as each chapter unfolds.  Tyler is keeping secrets and Anne is becoming more and more of a loose cannon as the story progresses. 

Secrets, a missing baby and the ache to love a child will have you turning pages nonstop to see how this debut novel finishes.  Love, fear, happiness and anger all play a part in this wonderful intricately told story. 

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Fortunate Son By Andrew Bridgeman

I cannot get over the fact that this is Andrew Bridgeman’s debut novel.  There are so many twists and turns and perfectly  placed easter eggs all through this novel that it is hard to write a review without spoilers.  The prologue starts off with a kidnapping of two young twin boys from a wealthy family. This is all part of a greater plan.  A prophecy that includes the Father and believers that are perfectly placed to complete a plan that is decades in the making. 

Enter Emma Nobel.  She is a strong female protagonist and is fresh out of the FBI Academy.  Emma was thrown to the wolves and paired with a snarky Special Agent Briar Metcalf.  She can hold her own, don’t worry.  And you, dear reader, will be cheering her on the entire time.  She has connections that will be revealed later.  (sweet nibblets this book is good)

A DNA test matches a man named Ben Danvers with the kidnapping all those years ago and Emma is tasked with telling Ben about who is real parents and past are.  Ben thought he was raised in Vermont by an oddly strange and controlling couple and then suddenly finds out that he is the son of the incoming Vice President.

Fortunate Son takes place at a time in our nation’s history  that is racked with civil unrest, protests, manipulations of elections, ransomware, corporations being held hostage, hate being fueled by social media, attacks and bombings and gun violence, and the question needs to be answered, who is attacking us?  Who is pulling ‘at the fabric of our society?’   (Sounds familiar right?  This is exactly why you need to read this).

This is the first book of the Emma Nobel series, and I cannot wait for the next one.  Well developed characters, antagonists that you empathize with and a plot that will give you more than one ‘holy smokes did that just happen’ moment.  This deadly prophecy must be stopped no matter the cost.  This is an edge of your seat dark and psychological political thriller full of deception and a race against time.  Do not miss this. 

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Heroic Measures By Joel Shulkin

I am in the habit of reading the author's notes and about his or her background before I pick up the first book by them.  For me, as a reviewer, this puts some pieces together and helps me to understand the writer’s perspective and what they draw from.  Reading Heroic Measures by Joel Shulkin, MD is a perfect example of what those things are important.  He is a developmental-behavioral pediatrician and a United States Air Force Veteran and clearly a comic book lover from a young age.

Heroic Measures grabbed me and refused to let go.  My only regret is that I did not start it the day it arrived on my doorstep.  The prologue set the pace, and it never let up.  Stephen Englehart, an Armed Forces medical examiner takes pride in his job.  He wants to give the soldiers he sees peace and gives respect to those who have fallen.  He is a stickler for details and a problem solver.  So when a soldier comes in that is supposed to be burned beyond recognition, but the only injury he can see is a broken jaw, Stephen starts to ask questions. 

Thriller lovers know, there is no such thing as a coincidence and so begins the chase for the truth.  This story has the perfect blend of fantasy/sci fi/supernatural elements, forensic science, military background and deceit.  Secrets so big that the higher ups will do what is necessary to keep it quiet.  The pieces to the puzzle come together to let you know that there is something lurking in the shadows of the military, but who has the most to lose? This is a jaw dropping, nonstop ride that should not be missed!

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The Bachelorette Party By Sandra Block

My first book by Sandra Block and now I have another author to seek out and read.  It sure is a good day to be a thriller reader!

“Have a nice bachelorette party.  I hope you fucking die.”

Short chapters and dual times have the pages flipping at a breakneck pace.  I have never wanted to skip the past and read only the NOW chapters or just skip the end so badly in my entire life.  I mean the discipline that it took to stay the course - I think I need ice cream for a reward!

The first timeline is now, Alex and her two best friends Lainey and Melody are heading out to celebrate Alex’s upcoming wedding.  I can honestly say that the now chapters blurred a little into horror and Groundhog Day and that is totally a good thing.  The second timeline is following Alex, who works for Crimeline (she is a budding journalist who is also a true crime junkie).  Alex has chosen to try and ‘debunk’ the 666 serial killer case.  With plenty of leads, clues to follow, notes to read and podcasts to listen to, our author is able to set a stage little by little making the intensity level which a panicked high. (again totally a good thing)

This crime thriller is nothing short of a knockout.  I was hanging on to every word.  The further that Alex pushes through her research and the days to her wedding grow closer, the more often death knocks at her door!  This is a must read.

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Love You Till Tuesday By M. E. Proctor

M. E. Proctor has burst onto the crime fiction scene with tenacity and grace.  Love You Till Tuesday gives the reader more than a cookie cutter detective series.  She introduces us to Declan Shaw, a wise cracking, soft spoken hard ass who lives his life at 100 mph in every single aspect.  Choices and consequences of his younger self made him who he is today. 

After a sordid one-night stand with a musician, April Easton is found dead in her apartment and Declan can be placed in her presence the weekend of the murder.   His calm and cool demeanor helps him to get the answers that he needs. Even though this relationship with April was fleeting, he wants to get answers.  He needs ‘to understand what happened.  Clearly her ‘murder served a purpose’ and Declan Shaw needs ‘to believe that there’s logic in the world, even if it’s twisted.’    

Readers, there is nothing that I find more fulfilling than a detective mystery full of high-profile players that you follow along pulling that individual’s string seeing how each one is connected to the other.  Finding out how deep their pockets are and the connections to each other all while wrapping it all up and leaving me wanting more.  I got everything I could ask for! I cannot wait to see what M.E. Proctor comes up with next.  Declan Shaw is here to stay.

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The Chamber By Will Dean

I was immediately immersed in a situation that I have zero prior knowledge of.  I had no idea what a SAT diver was, why they were needed or what their job entailed.  Thankfully, this has a vocabulary list at the beginning to help put things in perspective.  It is also important to note that as the story progresses the reader can understand what is going on and be more and more empathetic to the situation. The research that went into this is phenomenal.

Six highly experienced saturation divers enter a hyperbaric chamber to do their job.  They work at great depths for extended periods of time.  When not working they live in a small area with the other divers for as long as it takes to get the job done.  The downside is that if things go sideways, they cannot decompress immediately.  This could take days or weeks. 

Each of these divers must rely on the other.  There is no escape if a job goes sideways or even if a diver has an accident.  They have zero control and must depend on who is sending down food and water and air.  They could easily be killed or starved to death down there and they must trust the crew.  After a close call on the first mission, divers are starting to drop dead from reasons they cannot decipher.  The Chamber is a locked-room thriller that will make you weak, claustrophobic and scared.  They don’t know who to trust.  They can’t decompress fast enough, and the walls are closing in.   This is a soul stirring, atmospheric thriller that I will not soon forget.

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The Rule Of Three By Sam Ripley

The Rule of Three is the perfect blend of horror, thriller and urban legend.  The set up of this book is completely original.  I was drawn in completely from the first sentence and binged it last night.  First person POV from three different women talking directly to you, the reader.  We have Amy, Ila and Eve.  They have each lost a sibling and their parents.  Each woman’s journal entry is to warn the next one in line.  They know they will be next, but is it a serial killer or an unknown paranormal force at work?   

If I were to use three words to describe this one (see what I did there?), it would be dark, unsettling and unique. A slow burn that is worth the wait, with draw dropping moments in the end that makes you realize you were fed clues the entire time and you missed them.  Beginning with the ever-sassy Amy to the strength and determination of Eve, there are nefarious characters among us/them.  Three needs to be stopped.  There needs to be an end to this curse.

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Homecoming Queen By Chad Boudreaux

Anika Raven is returning to her hometown of Miranda, Texas to take her sister, Sam, away from a terrible home life.  Anika hasn’t been back to Miranda for 5 years.  When she left, she was the reigning Homecoming Queen.  She graduated as the valedictorian and was accepted to Rice for college.  Then, her boyfriend died in a fiery crash.  Anika had no intention of coming back to Miranda.  When she comes back this time, she notices a ‘pull’ or a force and something has changed. 

Sam doesn’t speak.  She draws.  She draws intricate shapes and cubes.  Anika and Sam find refuge with Joshua, a preacher who has – let’s say – some weird rules and restrictions for Anika and Sam.  Not only that but he warns them of Mayor Dodd, and he speaks, almost in code, about Sam’s ability.  Her being a ‘soothsayer’ or conduit for spiritual forces.  While this sounds, odd or even crazy, Joshua is steadfast in his beliefs. 

Dark forces of evil, betrayal, murder, deception, spiritual warfare and political unrest, all set amid the forces of nature are woven into a story that is unlike anything I have ever read.  As the story unfolds, you begin to wonder who will win.  Who is in charge or Miranda?  Why does it need to be fed? What do the drawings have to do with any of this?  What does the future hold for Anika and Sam?

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Stone Creek By Kate Brandes

Kate Brandes’ novel Stone Creek is beautiful, heartbreaking, full of love and determination.  This story will take the reader through every single emotion.  This coming-of-age novel will follow Tilly as she learns how to separate herself from her father, Frank. 

All his life, Frank has been fighting a battle.  He fought alongside many and made bonds that could not be broken.  He taught Tilly how to survive.  She learned how to fight big industry, blow up dams and to do this without hurting people.  This was their way of life.  Living off the grid, doing what Frank believed was needed. “The thing you have to ask yourself is this: How bright will you burn? What is the source of your fire? What are you going to do with your life that means something?”   His passion was his purpose. Until, he had to separate himself from Tilly leaving her alone. 

Frank’s mission left Tilly to feel irrelevant, lost, angry and uncertain what would happen at any given moment.  The reader is immersed in Tilly’s life through two timelines helping us to understand what she is going through and even be empathetic to her father’s ideals.  This is a book that I will reread and will remain on my shelves.   So many layers beautifully woven together.  Thank you for letting me be a part of this book’s journey. 

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May The Wolf Die By Elizabeth Heider

Nikki Serafino is a detective in Naples, Italy.  She is the first woman to work in Phoenix Seven, a group meant to liaise and assist in investigations between local law enforcement and the US military whenever the paths cross.  Nikki is proud and strong.  She is resilient and hardheaded. Nikki is as strong of a female protagonist that I have ever read about, especially in hand-to-hand combat situations. Nikki loves her job and has the uncanny ability to take emotions out of the current situation, notice her surroundings and the ability to see a crime scene through multiple lenses. 

The author brings Naples, Italy straight to the reader.  The grit and seediness of what is happening in that city was so vibrant.  There are several subplots going, but that just sets the story up for so much more!  The story begins with Nikki and her best friend Valerio on their boat.  Just as they were about to pull up anchor, a violent scene erupts, and a woman nearly drowns.  As they are coming in off the water the body of a high-ranking naval officer is discovered.  (If you read any crime fiction, you know – you never believe in coincidence.)

Heider incorporated the challenges of coordinating an investigation across international agencies into the storyline including how presence of organized crime in Naples complicates everything.  Heider is a pro at building tension between characters and then letting you catch your breath before she starts again. There are characters to love and to hate.  There are some that you want to know more about just to uncover the truth.  May the Wolf Die is filled with layers of secrets and nefarious characters.  The stage has been set for several more books in what will be an unforgettable series. 

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Tempest North By Rodger Carlyle

Tempest North is Book 1 of 3 of the Gritt Clan series.  For those of us who have been along for the ride for the other books in this series, we got a prequel.  Just to be honest, now that I have finished this one, I want to reread the other two and see what I can glean from them with a new perspective and more background information on Captain Chad Grittenburg. 

Rodger Carlyle is an amazing storyteller.  He can take the reader and immerse them in real places during a culturally recognizable time allowing us to be part of the story.  Cpt Grittenburg is driven by duty and honor and hope.  After losing his fiancé, he needs to find peace.  However, that is not in his future. 

It blows me away to think that business dealings between countries even in the 1800’s affected so many things.  Expansions into new territories, money, new cultures and diseases and still the leaders have to make decisions that affect others, good or bad.  Cpt Grittenburg is no different and he must decide the future for several.  

If you are a fan of historical fiction (add in the thriller element) this is a must read.  Every single chapter is a new adventure.      See you in Nashville at Bouchercon Mr. Carlyle.  I can’t wait to pick your brain.   

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Show Game By Steve Anderson

Individuals with a lot of money, power and influence seem to be getting away with a lot of criminal activity including sexual crimes against minors and a plethora of other things.  A vigilante who goes by the name of Alex has decided that the judicial system can take a payout to look over things and is taking matters into their own hands.  The targets that Alex has in mind include a boy scout leader turned leader of a mega church, a politician, and a philanthropist.  Each individual is abducted and taken to a remote location where they are given 3 chances to earn 150 points.  They have to admit what they have done, give the names of those who helped them and apologize in order to avoid opening the case and any further damage. 

Enter Owen Tanaka, an investigative reporter who wants to get to the truth, tell the truth and let the truth bring justice.  He is hired to find the host of the game show and is given a team to unveil that person’s identity before any other news reporter can.  The closer Owen gets to Alex, the more entangled their circles become. 

Steve Anderson has written an original, thought provoking and fast paced novel that covers so many topics that are relevant today, but in a way that brings a sort of justice to the wrongdoers in a more timely fashion than the judicial system.  A grass roots movement of sorts for truth and justice.  This thriller is written with so much heart and brings out hope in people that good will prevail. 

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Three Burials By Anders Lustgarten

I wanted to simultaneously devour this nonstop and marinate on each topic covered.  Anders Lustgarten is bringing so many real, current topics to the forefront of his novel.  It would be easy to take it in, think about it and move on.  What we should do is take it in, understand it and change things.    As I read through this novel, I made so many annotations and notes and things that I wanted to look up.   

Immigration, politics, suicide, racism and corruption are intricately woven into each page.  Sometimes, with snarky remarks (which I enjoyed) and sometimes with the gut-wrenching truth.   Each character in the book has a backstory that brings them to where they all collide.  When you read the blurb about a head nurse (Cherry) being on the run with a police officer and dead refugee, don’t dismiss the idea that this is possible.

Each chapter is filled with adventure and social injustice.  There are corrupt individuals and truth seekers.  Some have hope and some deal with pain.  Three Burials runs the gambit of emotions.  I would love to see this added into high school and college classes as part of the curriculum.  Just because this book takes place in London, doesn’t mean that every topic isn’t applicable all over the world. 

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The Midnight Rambler By Don Carr

I am quickly finding that an environmental thriller is a sub genre that resonates with me and connects to so many current events. Sophie Grant, our FMC, is one bad a$$ Environmental Protection Agency Special Agent in Charge (she loves the SAC part). SAC Grant has worked her way through some tough cases, taking down some bad guys trying to make the planet a better place to live. This time she finds herself stationed at the base of Mount Vesuvius in Italy. She has a team, including Marines, to keep her safe.

An EPA Agent, who needs a group of highly trained professionals to keep her safe while she tests water you ask? Chemical waste must be disposed of through an EHS Hazardous Waste Program. The worse for the environment the waste is, the more expensive it is to dispose of. In comes the toxic pollution disposal business. Run by centuries-old crime syndicates who have feelers in every part of the world, she is up against some really bad people who find money more important than the cancer-causing chemicals they dispose of daily.

Midnight Rambler (yes, a very interesting connection to the song by The Rolling Stones) is filled with people from all over the world who have ulterior motives. They are up against SAC Grant who wants to make the world a better place. She is relentless in her quest to do so. Connections to Russians, Nigerians, Americans and others are all necessary to paint this picture of what is going on in the world, while we sit and think we are safe. The inner workings of the ‘bad guys’ are so entangled it blows my mind.

This is a nonstop immersive ride in the most beautiful parts of Italy along the Almafi Coast. A legendary Camorra assassin, Il Mezanotte Ramingo, has been tasked to stop the EPA at all costs. Fast-paced and heart-pounding, this is a deadly game of cat and mouse that will keep your attention from the very first sentence. This is a high stakes thriller from Don Carr, who spent over 15 years elbow deep investigating and writing about America’s worst polluters. I really hope to see more from this author in the very near future.

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Dreams In Incarceration By Cillian Dunne

David Spivey is a former inmate and member of the notorious Crip gang in LA.  When Spivey was 17 years old, he murdered an 18-year-old member of a rival gang in 2006 during a turf war. Spivey has since turned his life around and is currently a motivational speaker. Cillian Dunne tells Spivey’s story.  First of all, I would like to encourage the reader to go all the way through the book.  Research David Spivey for yourself and ask questions.  The amount of time, research, patience, understanding and pure heart that it took from all parties involved is mind blowing.  It is easy to google a prison sentence.  It is easy to follow the news. To know and to understand the journey that someone like David Spivey is often unheard of and not written or spoken of.  There are several players in the game of life and how one acts and interacts with them changes that individual’s future.  Life in LA in 2006, gang violence, growing up, how to handle the battles inside of prison – those are not always accurately portrayed in made for tv movies.  This is unlike anything I have ever read before and it makes me wonder, if we all took time to understand each other like Dunne did with Spivey, how would that change the outlook of our future?

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The Vixen Amber Halloway By Carol LaHines

The Vixen Amber Halloway, is Ophelia’s jailhouse confession as she retells her story and prepares for a parole board meeting to decide if she will be released from prison. Her husband Andy had an affair and fell in love Amber Halloway and Ophelia did not take that well.  The definition of an unreliable narrator could easily be described as Ophelia in this book (my favorite of 2024 - so far). 

Dante’s Commedia (Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso) has clearly been studied, as it is seamlessly integrated into this novel. I found myself bookmarking passages and then going to look them up. I loved that!  After the affair comes out, “the hole in my (Ophelia) heart the size of a shotgun wound” would have to be filled.  She filled it with anger, revenge, punishment (“fetid bog of the irredeemable”) and obsession. 

Ophelia claims to be shy and does not like to “unburden” herself or make a “spectacle” of herself, but broken heart be damned.  While dealing with what a psychiatrist calls “a break from reality” she doles out her punishment as she sees fit per her infinite wisdom of Dante’s Commedia. My favorite part of this book was that I found myself cheering on Ophelia. It’s not that I agree with what she did, but she made it seem right and just. 

This is a must read for a book club, for any woman who has ever been wronged, and for any one who needs a page turner full of obsession and rage. Bravo Carol LaHines. I loved this. 

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The King Street Affair By Jon Sealy

Wyatt Brewer is a journalist trying to ‘get a story’ and keep the newspaper alive in Charleston, South Carolina.  He is assigned to cover a story of an unidentified Estonian who washed up on Folly Beach.  What started as a usual day at work awakens memories of things that happened in his past.  Wyatt pulls on a string and unwinds a story that he wasn’t expecting.  People connected by love, corruption, money and possible nefarious activity.  Because greed is always a big player hiding in the dark. 

Jon Sealy will be an author that I will read from here on out.  He has taken a spy thriller and mixed it with a Southern mystery perfectly.  Love, duplicity, insinuations and coincidence play a part in every chapter.   If you need a book that has a deceased benefactor, global instability, agency operatives, international scandals, Estonian gangsters, economic opportunity zones and more, this is a must read.  I know that sounds like a lot, but Sealy places each topic perfectly together and the pages will continue to turn. This one left me with my mouth hanging open, wanting answers and knowing that there could easily be more to this story.

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Moneymaker By Josh Boldt

This was my first book by Josh Boldt and my first journey with Mack Abbott.  Little did I know that Moneymaker is a prequel to Slurry and how Mack ends up in Kentucky. As soon as I finished, I wanted to see what was next for Mack.  Lucky for me, no waiting!!

Set in 1997, Mack Abbott, Navy Veteran and surveillance specialist, has an unknown employer who wants him to watch and follow a drug shipment that is coming into Savanah.  Sounds easy enough, right?  No guns, just keep an eye on it, follow it and well….. you will see.   Have you ever walked into a big spider web, and you can’t get it off?   That is exactly what happens to Mack when he gets to Savanah.  The longer he stays and watches the more he becomes entangled in a web of secrets and lies and money. 

This is a gritty and seedy crime thriller that is filled with morally grey characters and takes you back in time where a criminal underbelly hides in a beautiful Southern town.  Boldt’s prose both immerses and pulls the reader along with perfect pacing always wondering who can Mack trust? Who are his allies and foes; and what will happen next for Mack?   

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A Better World By Sarah Langan

A Better World is a dystopian psychological thriller that will have you thinking about your future and asking yourself a lot of questions.  What secrets are being hidden from us?  How easy are we all led around?  What will you do for your family?

Richard, Linda and their twins are living in turmoil.  During the ‘Era of the Great Unwinding’ all things that people came to depend on (ie healthcare, government, roads) were falling apart. The world was split between the haves and the have nots, the colonies, and the cities, the clean and the dirty, the fed and the hungry.

Richard had the ability to get his family into a colony, Pleasant Valley (PV).  PV and other colonies are owned by Better World, the producer of Omnium and the only way to survive. BetterWorld offered everything they needed to stay alive, to raise their family and to prosper.  However, outsiders are not easily welcomed.  There are conditions to be met, barters to be made and traditions to learn. 

Once they get to PV, everything is not how it seems and fitting in does not seem possible.  They must learn, accept, and participate in a series of customs, events and beliefs called The Hollow.  Adapting must be quick and quiet without fanfare.  The family must break into the right clique to get their ‘Golden Ticket’ (a lifetime pass into the colony).  Linda breaks into the right group of women and is able to practice medicine.  However, she doesn’t like to take things at face value.  Linda is a doctor, her husband does research, they have lived outside the walls and the numbers are not adding up.  Linda is warned over and over again to stop asking questions.  The more answers she gets, the more frightened she becomes.  Can they ever leave PV?

Let me leave you with this… Cognitive dissonance is real.  Should you accept the discomfort you feel and get in line with the others, or do you do what aligns with your morals?

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