John Verdon - Think Of A Number: A Novel [PDF]

John Verdon - Think Of A Number: A Novel [PDF] Format: PDF Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller Language: English Published: Crown Publishers, 2010 John Verdon has done something remarkable in his debut thriller, Think of a Number. He has successfully juggled every storytelling ball, character, atmosphere, prose, pace and plot, with the skill and assuredness of a veteran novelist at the top of his game. The writing is haunting and quotable, the twists expertly placed and infinitely plausible, the conjured locations vivid and memorable, the characters full of depth and promise. You can read the book as a game of cat and mouse, a ride of chilling suspense, or a literary repast, since it provides all in abundance. In the novel the set-up provides an intriguing dilemma. A man gets a letter that scares him to death by challenging him to think of a number. That catalyst soon speeds the reader and Verdon’s hero, Dave Gurney, a legendary and now retired NYPD detective, headlong into a mystery of the first order. I’m pretty adept at figuring out these types of stories and while I hit on a few twists before Verdon probably wanted me to, the major ones were stunning surprises. I read the last two-hundred pages in one sitting. I did this for two compelling reasons. First, to find out what the hell was going on. And second, just to enjoy the wonderful writing. Some novelists promise plot and pace and deliver it with lightweight characters and silly dialogue. Others get the characters spot-on but the story is mediocre and predictable. Verdon nails it all in his first novel. The villain is appealingly terrifying, smart and cunning while operating mostly in absentia, and that is incredibly difficult to accomplish. The answer behind the THINK OF A NUMBER plot, most certainly a disaster in lesser hands, proves clever, winning and eminently believable. Verdon’s protagonist Dave Gurney is one for the ages, and readers everywhere will surely clamor to see this man again. Think of a Number gets full marks from me. And I think it will from you, too. Enjoy. - David Baldacci _____________________________________Contents____________________________________ Title Page Dedication Prologue Part One - Fatal Memories Chapter 1 - Cop Art Chapter 2 - A Perfect Victim Chapter 3 - Trouble in Paradise Chapter 4 - I Know You So Well I Know What You\'re Thinking Chapter 5 - Unpleasant Possibilities Chapter 6 - For Blood That\'s as Red as a Painted Rose Chapter 7 - The Black Hole Chapter 8 - A Rock and a Hard Place Chapter 9 - No Such Person Chapter 10 - The Perfect Place Chapter 11 - A Unique Ministry Chapter 12 - The Importance of Honesty Chapter 13 - Nothing to be Guilty About Chapter 14 - Commitment Chapter 15 - Dichotomies Chapter 16 - The End of the Beginning Part Two - Macabre Games Chapter 17 - Quite a Lot of Blood Chapter 18 - Footprints to Nowhere Chapter 19 - Scum of the Earth Chapter 20 - A Family Friend Chapter 21 - Priorities Chapter 22 - Getting it Straight Chapter 23 - Without a Trace Chapter 24 - Crime of the Year Chapter 25 - Questioning Gurney Chapter 26 - A Blank Check Chapter 27 - Getting to Know the DA Chapter 28 - Back to the Scene of the Crime Chapter 29 - Backwards Chapter 29 - Backwards Chapter 30 - Emerald Cottage Chapter 31 - A Routine Call From the Bronx Part Three - Back to the Beginning Chapter 32 - The Cleansing to Come Chapter 33 - A Hell of a Night Chapter 34 - A Dark Day Chapter 35 - Stumbling Into the Light Chapter 36 - One Thing Leads to Another Chapter 37 - Bad Things Come in Threes Chapter 38 - A Di􀀼cult Man Chapter 39 - You and I Have a Date, Mr. 658 Chapter 40 - A Shot in the Dark Chapter 41 - Back to the Real World Chapter 42 - Upside Down Chapter 43 - Madeleine Chapter 44 - Final Arguments Chapter 45 - To Rest in Peace, Act Now Chapter 46 - A Simple Plan Chapter 47 - Welcome to Wycherly Chapter 48 - A House with a History Chapter 49 - Kill them All Chapter 50 - Re-Search Chapter 51 - Show-and-Tell Chapter 52 - Death Before Dawn Chapter 53 - Ending, Beginning Acknowledgments About the Author Copyright

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 insinuendo (2010-08-22)