29 Seconds: The brilliant, gripping thriller from the author of Netflix hit THE HOLIDAY

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If only this novel lived up to my expectations. Having read T.M. Logan’s last novel, I was really looking forward to “29 Seconds” – however this novel just missed the mark as I felt like the storyline left something to be desired and on the whole felt like the plot was a bit farfetched. That said, I do enjoy T.M. Logan’s writing and will be on the lookout for his next release. I’m usually able to go with the flow. Put my beliefs on hold as needed. But this one stretched my sense of reality too thin. I truly loved this author’s previous novel Lies. Sadly, this one just didn’t measure up for me. Sarah is a young professor struggling to prove herself in a workplace controlled by the charming and manipulative Alan Hawthorne. A renowned scholar and television host, Hawthorne rakes in million-dollar grants for the university where Sarah works—so his inappropriate treatment of female colleagues behind closed doors has gone unchallenged for years. And Sarah is his newest target. What happened is that it's a business and they've got too much invested in their prime asset to let him go. People like us are just the collateral damage."

If you're looking for a fun, unpredictable escape, this thriller is for you. It's really an awesome read, and I, for one, loved the ending. 4+ stars. Alan Hawthorne was flawlessly written. He is the perfect villain—manipulative, seductive, and diabolical enough that I fell into the trap over and over thinking he might have a limit to his behavior. I can’t wait for readers to see the way Hawthorne works—it is terrifying and brilliant! Tim’s thrillers have sold more than two million copies in the UK and are published in translation in 22 other countries including Italy, Spain, Sweden, Portugal, France, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Greece, South Korea, Romania and the Netherlands. His brand new novel, THE MOTHER, is a twisty, fast-paced thriller about a woman betrayed and her search for redemption against all the odds. Because if she can't discover who framed her for murder, she will never see her sons again...The premise of this book gives me chills whenever I think about it. When I first thought about the deal I felt like Sarah did. Sure, there are people I’d prefer to not have to deal with. But making that call would mean I took action that adversely impacted someone else. But as the story unfolds, we see the terrifying events that push Sarah to her limits. I got an arc from a publisher for this one and I agreed to be honest in my review. Sorry, but if you say "honest", you are going to get it. I couldn't begin to imagine being in Sarah's position but I am fully aware of many situations out there involving bosses and the upper echelon that use their power to gain advantage over vulnerable people. Sexual predators are evil and I fully sympathised with Sarah, understanding her constant frustration and fear of losing her job.

Our main character Sarah ( who I loved more or less instantly ) is bullied by her TV presenter of a boss.....he wants sex in return for his promises of promotion......he is a bully who thrives on his harassment and sexual gratification of his staff, peiple ate scared of him, he makes their lives a misery.....there will never be any change, he has too much power, money and authority......then Sarah witnesses an event and helps avert a tragedy....her ‘reward’ for this from a grateful and very wealthy Russian is she can have one person ‘disappear’ from her life, forever.....she has 72 hours to decide whether to accept this ‘offer’, the call, if she makes it on the mobile phone with 1 number in the memory will only take ‘29 seconds’......and so follows a wonderfully past paced story of decisions,repercussions and nail biting tension ( hard to say much more as would ruin the story if give too much away) Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and T.M. Logan for an arc in exchange for an honest review. In the surveillance footage, Mr Floyd can be seen laughing with employees and shoppers as he moves around the store, at one point holding a banana and at another point pulling out what appears to be some cash.

Elizabeth Kesses said: “ T.M. Logan novels are a gift for TV with propulsive storylines and gripping plot twists. The theme of sexual harassment in the workplace makes 29 Seconds such a unique thriller. Big Light are great partners with a real focus on excellence in writing that puts story at the heart of TV production.” Big Light Productions will be taking One Name to MIPCOM for pre-sales. Frank Spotnitz will also be speaking at the market as part of the Producers’ Hub in a panel entitled A QUESTION OF SURVIVAL – TALENTS IN CRISIS on Weds 18 th October at 15:15 – 15:45 in the Seaview Producers’ Hub: R9. Sarah's life is ruled by her horrible boss. Yet he's untouchable due to a sizable grant and his famous TV show. Driving to get her children from school one day, Sarah rescues a young girl from harm. She does it out of the kindness of her heart, expecting nothing in return. But her act puts a very powerful man in her debt, and he decides that it must be repaid in his own way. He offers Sarah a 72-hour deal: he can make someone disappear with a simple phone call. No traces to her, no repercussions. Sarah's life with her boss is nearly intolerable, but can she really make that call? Telling the story from the unique double perspective of the harasser and his victim, One Name is a character-driven drama that explores the collateral damage and fallout of one woman’s decision in the face of abuse.

This book was supposed to be a psychological thriller. A lady who is being sexually harassed at work gets the chance to have anyone she wants "disappear". I liked the idea. The problem was the heroine, Sarah. She had to be the biggest loser ever. I hated her enough that I would have liked to "disappear" her by the end of the thing.Frank Spotnitz, Executive Producer and CEO of Big Light Productions, said: “T.M. Logan is famed for his seriously addictive storytelling and gritty narratives that have audiences hooked worldwide, and 29 Seconds is no exception. It has three key things in abundance that make it perfect for an adaptation to a television drama – a sensational story, a strong IP with global appeal, and of course, it is hugely entertaining. Working together with the extremely talented Sara Collins and our producing partners Elizabeth Kesses and Tomorrow Studios to adapt this thrilling piece of storytelling is incredibly exciting, and we look forward to bringing this development project to MIPCOM.” This is my first book by T.M Logan, so I had nothing to compare it to. Many who have read his books may have a different take on it, but I enjoyed it well enough. Is it far-fetched and implausible? Yes, and it got more so as the novel progressed. Is the conclusion a bit too tidy?

But someone was watching, and that someone wants to say thank you for a good deed done on the spur of the moment. Paying it forward was never more threatening… The mysterious Volkov is the father of the little girl that Sarah helped he wants to repay her in his own special way. Just say the word, and he will make someone disappear… permanently. Oh my gosh, this book frustrated me so much when it came to what Sarah had to face on a daily basis. I am glad our protagonist tried to maintain some morals because I don't think I would have had a problem dialling that phone number. But I just couldn't put the book down and I felt my heart racing the entire time. A good dose of a suspense and a storyline that had me hooked! I predict that this book is certainly going to be one of FALL 2019's most anticipated books. Large Stopwatch - Use the Stopwatch in FULL SCREEN. Great for meetings, classrooms, conferences, schools, anywhere really... :-)

Summary

Seconds has those addictive short chapters that leave you hanging, just to make sure you keep reading on. 29 Seconds is another entertaining and tense read from T M Logan with a thought provoking premise...I would definitely recommend 29 Seconds to anyone who enjoys a fast paced and twisted thriller * My Reading Corner * It’s not so easy in practice but when given the opportunity, Sarah must make an impossible choice. A detrimental choice. Consequences be damned. Sarah's situation is certainly thought provoking and had me pondering - if I were approached with the same proposition, who would that someone be that I'd like to have magically disappear. Everyone has that someone right? There are quite a few twists and turns and the ending took my breath away. I was trying to finish this in one day but couldn’t last. But, I woke determined to learn what happened. I promise you a range of emotions and a thrilling ride. Loved and hated this book...read it and you’ll understand. seconds - it's not long is it? But for Sarah, 29 seconds will have the capacity to change her life for ever, and ultimately her boss's too, much to his detriment.