book review: Close Your Eyes by Amanda Eyre Ward

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Close Your Eyes: A NovelThe basics: When Lauren Mahdian is six years old, her father murders her mother. She remembers very little about that night, but her older brother Alex has always maintained their father is innocent.

My thoughts: Close Your Eyes is a gripping thriller from beginning to end. What sets it apart from other thrillers, however, is the lack of imminent danger. It is a character-driven  thriller, and I could not put it down. I was drawn into Lauren's world; she now lives in Austin with her boyfriend and works as a real estate agent, but she still struggles with her memories (or lack thereof) of the evening of her mother's death. I won't share much more because this short novel is best experienced by reading it not reading about it.

Favorite passage: "My older brother filled me--always--with a sense of bafflement, irritation , and gratitude."

The verdict: Close Your Eyes captivated me from beginning to end. I read it in a single day and thoroughly enjoyed the story. It's a testament to the strength of Ward's story and writing that even after the mystery became clear, the novel still had momentum.

Rating: 4 out of 5
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: July 26, 2011
Source: publisher (via TLC Book Tours)


Connect with Amanda and learn more:
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Comments

  1. AudraAugust 1, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    Ooh -- I passed on this because I'm a bit of a wuss (or, quite a wuss) but since it's not an imminent danger thriller, perhaps I could read it and not die of anxiety! Your description has me super curious!

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  2. ZibileeAugust 1, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    I am starting to think that I really love character-driven thrillers, and have been actively seeking them out more often nowadays. I am glad that you had such a positive reaction to this one. It sounds like something that I would like too. If you are interested in another recommendation for this type of book, I would recommend Turn of Mind to you.

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  3. AnonymousAugust 1, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    Wow, a character driven thriller?! Sounds like a fantastic read!

    Thanks for being on the tour. I'm featuring your review on TLC's Facebook page today.

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  4. Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)August 1, 2011 at 11:03 PM

    Wow, sounds good! I'm curious about a book that is a thriller without imminent danger.

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  5. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaAugust 2, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    I do want to read this one Carrie. I've enjoyed this author in the past. Glad it was a hit with you.

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  6. JennyAugust 2, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    Ooh I'm glad you liked it! I think you'd like her other books too because the writing in those that I've read are similar.

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  7. MeganAugust 2, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    Ward definitely has a knack for the whole thriller without imminent danger thing. Somehow her books manage to be unputdownable not because you're being chased by horrors, but because you're interested in how all the angles Ward is working will end up. I've enjoyed several of her previous books and will definitely be on the lookout for this one!

    ReplyDelete

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