Stolen

March 4, 2013
In the prologue of Palmer’s unrelentingly suspenseful thriller, John Bodine, an avid mountain climber from Boston, faces a horrific choice after an avalanche sweeps his two companions over a ridgeline in Tibet. To survive, John must cut one of the ropes that connect him to his friends, causing one of them to fall to his death. Years later, John learns that his insurance company won’t pay for the expensive treatment his wife needs after being diagnosed with late-stage cancer. Desperate, he succeeds in stealing the identity of another man, Elliot Uretsky, who has the proper insurance. The problem is, Uretsky is a serial killer. Uretsky calls John and tells him he knows what John is doing and will turn him in unless John agrees to play “a game.” John must commit ever-more-dangerous crimes, and when he balks, Uretsky kills someone close to him. Readers should note that Palmer (Helpless) sets a high bar for serial killer brutality. Agent: Meg Ruley, Jane Rotrosen Agency.

October 28, 2013
Narrator Peter Berkrot throws himself completely into his portrayal of John Bodine, the book’s narrator, a videogame creator who is desperately trying to hold things together after his wife, Ruby, is diagnosed with a devastating form of cancer. In an attempt to save her life, he concocts a scheme that involves cheating an insurance company out of the fabulous amount it will take to keep Ruby’s cancer at bay. However, Ruby fears the scheme will result in bad karma. And so it does in spades, bringing the couple to the attention of an cruel genius gamer who forces them to undergo a series of increasingly sadistic “tests” of John’s criminal aptitude. These range from simple theft to prostitution and, eventually, murder. Berkrot’s performance captures John’s desperation, as well as Ruby’s weariness and despair and, of course, the smarmy, sarcastic, sinister telephone voice of their tormentor. This audiobook more than delivers suspense and thrills, but may not be suitable for the faint of heart. A Kensington hardcover.