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desidoubleu's review against another edition
3.0
When I read the description of this book, I couldn’t wait to dive in.
The whole story is interesting and exciting and a mystery! However, it was very slow for me.
Most books I read, I find times where I’m speeding through the pages so quick because I’m excited and need to know what happens next. That DID happen but not until the near end. It’s a 418 page book and it didn’t get me to that point until about the 300 mark.
It WAS a good book though overall and the ending went just how I hoped! I would recommend it :)
The whole story is interesting and exciting and a mystery! However, it was very slow for me.
Most books I read, I find times where I’m speeding through the pages so quick because I’m excited and need to know what happens next. That DID happen but not until the near end. It’s a 418 page book and it didn’t get me to that point until about the 300 mark.
It WAS a good book though overall and the ending went just how I hoped! I would recommend it :)
isaacrm's review against another edition
4.0
This one's 4 stars, which in my scale means: if you like the genre, this is a book you should probably read it.
Why would a man serving a long prison sentence escape the day before he's due to be released?
I couldn't imagine what Robotham could come up with to explain that behavior. Even when I thought I knew the reason, I kept thinking that it had to be because something else.
This book is not about answering that question. Like many of Robotham books, the reasons are clear soon enough. This book is about the story, the characters, and the dialogs. The author is a master on those areas, which makes his books very hard to put down, even when the mystery is no mystery at all.
This book doesn't contain any of the usual characters you see in other Robotham's novels, but all the important characters are well developed and likeable or dislikeable depending on the needs. There are many part where you really get into the skin of the characters and feel what they feel, which is what I love about the author.
To me, this is a must read if you're into thrillers.
Why would a man serving a long prison sentence escape the day before he's due to be released?
I couldn't imagine what Robotham could come up with to explain that behavior. Even when I thought I knew the reason, I kept thinking that it had to be because something else.
This book is not about answering that question. Like many of Robotham books, the reasons are clear soon enough. This book is about the story, the characters, and the dialogs. The author is a master on those areas, which makes his books very hard to put down, even when the mystery is no mystery at all.
This book doesn't contain any of the usual characters you see in other Robotham's novels, but all the important characters are well developed and likeable or dislikeable depending on the needs. There are many part where you really get into the skin of the characters and feel what they feel, which is what I love about the author.
To me, this is a must read if you're into thrillers.
calturner's review against another edition
5.0
Title: Life or Death
Author: Michael Robotham
Rating: 5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher who gave me an ARC of 'Life or Death' in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, what can I say? Yet another thrilling novel from Michael Robotham, an author whose books I've enjoyed for many years. In 'Life or Death' he takes a break from his Joe O'Loughlin series to bring us a standalone novel that is every bit as good as his previous work.
What would make Audie Palmer, a man who has been in prison for the last ten years, decide to break out one day before his release? What follows is a tale reminiscent of 'The Shawshank Redemption', with many twists, turns and shocks along the way that once started is very difficult to put down.
It is told through both present day narrative and flashbacks that allow the story to unfold gradually, until we have the full, horrifying story of why Audie would escape from prison so close to release, and exactly what the incentive for his actions throughout the book are.
A fast paced and gripping read that I would highly recommend. A well deserved 5 stars.
Author: Michael Robotham
Rating: 5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher who gave me an ARC of 'Life or Death' in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, what can I say? Yet another thrilling novel from Michael Robotham, an author whose books I've enjoyed for many years. In 'Life or Death' he takes a break from his Joe O'Loughlin series to bring us a standalone novel that is every bit as good as his previous work.
What would make Audie Palmer, a man who has been in prison for the last ten years, decide to break out one day before his release? What follows is a tale reminiscent of 'The Shawshank Redemption', with many twists, turns and shocks along the way that once started is very difficult to put down.
It is told through both present day narrative and flashbacks that allow the story to unfold gradually, until we have the full, horrifying story of why Audie would escape from prison so close to release, and exactly what the incentive for his actions throughout the book are.
A fast paced and gripping read that I would highly recommend. A well deserved 5 stars.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
Top Books of 2015 "Best Tour de Force of Crime Writing "
International best-selling author, Australian Michael Robotham, is at the “top of his game”, crossing many genres and an ocean, for the setting of his latest novel, LIFE OR DEATH.
“Resentment is like swallowing a poison and waiting for the other person to die.”
― Michael Robotham, Life or Death
Choosing the American southern state of Texas, delivering one of the most brilliantly written, and powerful thrillers of 2014-2015! US March 2015, whichever part of the world you may be from, and release you are reading. For sure, I want a front-row seat when the film releases, as can only imagine the cast!
An engrossing, vivid, and descriptive emotional crime thriller; a conspiracy, a man fights against all odds-he never gives up, to save those he protects and loves; a poignant love story. Where things are not always as they seem.
LIFE OR DEATH opens with the escape of Audie Palmer, from prison on the day before he is due to be released. Palmer has served the last 10 years in prison, a third of his life, for the Texas robbery of an armored truck. Four people were killed, and the $7 million dollars stolen in the robbery has never been recovered. During his prison term, Audie has been beaten, stabbed, poisoned, tortured; however, he has not talked, asked for protection, remaining cool and calm.
Palmer is smart, and is on the run. There are bad guys, crooked cops, and feds all trying to track him down to lead them to the money or kill him. However, he is not after any money – he has spent ten years in prison, and now is out to save and protect life. However, what person can be trusted?
Audie wasn't meant to end up in prison. He was a good kid, smart in school and college; however, his one weakness was his love for his no-good brother, Carl and he winds up behind bars. Audie touches so many lives and is connected with many characters we meet in, and out of prison. The connection between him and Moss, another inmate is powerful, and the author uses wit and humor combined with deep emotions of the heart and human dynamics, making the novel appeal to a wide variety of readers, outside the typical psychological, crime thriller genre.
Robotham keeps you on the edge-of-your seat, with twists, turns, dangers, suspense, and intensity, skillfully integrating flashbacks of Palmer’s life before prison, and the truth about the day of the robbery, all ignite as it nears its gripping and powerful conclusion.
LIFE OR DEATH is the best mix of my favorite male authors: Greg Iles, Paul Cleave, John Grisham, Harlan Coben, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, and David Baldacci, all rolled into one riveting novel. A suspenseful, fast-paced heart-pounding, page-turner, leaving you turning into the wee hours of the morning, and characters which will linger, long after the book ends...
I listened to the audiobook, and John Chancer, was outstanding-- with a wide variety of voices, perfectly matched for all the southern characters. Would highly recommend the audiobook as exceptional; however, there were so many beautiful words, you may want to buy the e-book as well.
From literary, psychological, crime, mystery, thriller, suspense; conspiracy, drama, murder, racial and social injustices; love and loss—A tour de force of crime writing, far exceeding the hype, well-deserving of 10 stars. Anything less would seem inadequate when attempting to describe the exceptional writing, the multi-layered plot, and the superbly developed characters; crafted with skillful precision and depth, grabbing you from the first page to the last.
Yes, Michael Robotham, you were truly destined to write this inspiring book. You have a gift. Thank you for sharing it with the world. You are welcome in the US anytime! Possibly Atlanta, or Florida next?
BLOG Review:
#JDCMustReadBooks
International best-selling author, Australian Michael Robotham, is at the “top of his game”, crossing many genres and an ocean, for the setting of his latest novel, LIFE OR DEATH.
“Resentment is like swallowing a poison and waiting for the other person to die.”
― Michael Robotham, Life or Death
Choosing the American southern state of Texas, delivering one of the most brilliantly written, and powerful thrillers of 2014-2015! US March 2015, whichever part of the world you may be from, and release you are reading. For sure, I want a front-row seat when the film releases, as can only imagine the cast!
An engrossing, vivid, and descriptive emotional crime thriller; a conspiracy, a man fights against all odds-he never gives up, to save those he protects and loves; a poignant love story. Where things are not always as they seem.
LIFE OR DEATH opens with the escape of Audie Palmer, from prison on the day before he is due to be released. Palmer has served the last 10 years in prison, a third of his life, for the Texas robbery of an armored truck. Four people were killed, and the $7 million dollars stolen in the robbery has never been recovered. During his prison term, Audie has been beaten, stabbed, poisoned, tortured; however, he has not talked, asked for protection, remaining cool and calm.
Palmer is smart, and is on the run. There are bad guys, crooked cops, and feds all trying to track him down to lead them to the money or kill him. However, he is not after any money – he has spent ten years in prison, and now is out to save and protect life. However, what person can be trusted?
Audie wasn't meant to end up in prison. He was a good kid, smart in school and college; however, his one weakness was his love for his no-good brother, Carl and he winds up behind bars. Audie touches so many lives and is connected with many characters we meet in, and out of prison. The connection between him and Moss, another inmate is powerful, and the author uses wit and humor combined with deep emotions of the heart and human dynamics, making the novel appeal to a wide variety of readers, outside the typical psychological, crime thriller genre.
Robotham keeps you on the edge-of-your seat, with twists, turns, dangers, suspense, and intensity, skillfully integrating flashbacks of Palmer’s life before prison, and the truth about the day of the robbery, all ignite as it nears its gripping and powerful conclusion.
LIFE OR DEATH is the best mix of my favorite male authors: Greg Iles, Paul Cleave, John Grisham, Harlan Coben, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, and David Baldacci, all rolled into one riveting novel. A suspenseful, fast-paced heart-pounding, page-turner, leaving you turning into the wee hours of the morning, and characters which will linger, long after the book ends...
I listened to the audiobook, and John Chancer, was outstanding-- with a wide variety of voices, perfectly matched for all the southern characters. Would highly recommend the audiobook as exceptional; however, there were so many beautiful words, you may want to buy the e-book as well.
From literary, psychological, crime, mystery, thriller, suspense; conspiracy, drama, murder, racial and social injustices; love and loss—A tour de force of crime writing, far exceeding the hype, well-deserving of 10 stars. Anything less would seem inadequate when attempting to describe the exceptional writing, the multi-layered plot, and the superbly developed characters; crafted with skillful precision and depth, grabbing you from the first page to the last.
Yes, Michael Robotham, you were truly destined to write this inspiring book. You have a gift. Thank you for sharing it with the world. You are welcome in the US anytime! Possibly Atlanta, or Florida next?
BLOG Review:
#JDCMustReadBooks
barbaraskalberg's review against another edition
4.0
Crime dramas are not my favorite genre, but I thought this one was exceptional. The fact that it takes place in Texas, and I recognize the cities doesn't hurt. The character development and focus on the story itself felt different than the typical crime story. I'm definitely going to look for more of his books.
jmclincoln's review against another edition
5.0
I could not put this down! I usually read a bit before bed, thus a book takes a few days to read. No, not thus one! I had to find out why someone would escape from prison the day before they were to be released. Intriguing and does not disappoint.
this_little_bookshelf's review against another edition
The portrayal of women was very one dimensional, and there were racist and sexist undertones that felt completely unnecessary.
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
5.0
One of Australia’s great storytellers: Michael Robotham’s crime fiction and the tantalising premise of his new novel.
Michael Robotham’s latest novel, published ten years after his first, was more than 20 years in the making. In a recent interview, the author said:
‘It took me years to come up with an answer and even longer before I felt I had the skills to tell the story properly. I needed to practise. I needed to learn. I needed to get better. That’s why I’m so excited about Life or Death. It’s a love story and a prison story and a heart-stopping account of one man’s refusal to surrender. More importantly, it’s the book that I was meant to write.’
Robotham’s renowned for taking a snippet from real life and building his novels around the ‘what if’ questions that tweak his interest, and he does so again in Life or Death:
‘I read a newspaper account of a man who had served a long prison sentence, but escaped the day before he was due to be released. Why, I asked myself, what could possibly be the reason?’
It then took many years to come up with an answer, and the confidence to tell the story, but what a story it is. Part thriller, part jailbreak, part outlaw on the run, Life or Death is also a love story and a classic take on the man-against-the-machine scenario. ... full post at: http://newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/2014/09/04/michael-robotham-life-death-reviewed-karen-chisholm/
Michael Robotham’s latest novel, published ten years after his first, was more than 20 years in the making. In a recent interview, the author said:
‘It took me years to come up with an answer and even longer before I felt I had the skills to tell the story properly. I needed to practise. I needed to learn. I needed to get better. That’s why I’m so excited about Life or Death. It’s a love story and a prison story and a heart-stopping account of one man’s refusal to surrender. More importantly, it’s the book that I was meant to write.’
Robotham’s renowned for taking a snippet from real life and building his novels around the ‘what if’ questions that tweak his interest, and he does so again in Life or Death:
‘I read a newspaper account of a man who had served a long prison sentence, but escaped the day before he was due to be released. Why, I asked myself, what could possibly be the reason?’
It then took many years to come up with an answer, and the confidence to tell the story, but what a story it is. Part thriller, part jailbreak, part outlaw on the run, Life or Death is also a love story and a classic take on the man-against-the-machine scenario. ... full post at: http://newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/2014/09/04/michael-robotham-life-death-reviewed-karen-chisholm/
strawberryninja's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rachhenderson's review against another edition
4.0
The big mystery of this book is why Audie Palmer escaped from prison the day before he was due for release, sparking a massive manhunt. It was an interesting, easy read, somewhat unbelievable but still a lot of fun.