What Doesn't Kill Her

April 13, 2015
In Thriller Award–finalist Norton’s riveting sequel to 2013’s The Edge of Normal, U.C. Berkeley student Reeve LeClaire, who was kidnapped and held captive in Seattle for four years as a teen, is yanked back into her past after her abductor, Daryl Wayne Flint, escapes from the Washington State psychiatric hospital where he’s serving his sentence. Believing she knows Daryl better than any of the authorities and feeling responsible for finding Daryl before he can hurt anyone else, she returns to Seattle, despite her family’s adamant advice not to put herself in jeopardy once again. To apprehend Daryl, she reconnects with retired FBI special agent Milo Bender, whom she fondly remembers from the time he was assigned to stay with her during Daryl’s trial. Meanwhile, Daryl, who has been obsessed with Reeve throughout his hospital stay, sets off on a rampage of murder and kidnapping, until events reach their climax in an exciting and suspenseful conclusion. Agent: Liza Dawson, Liza Dawson Associates.

November 15, 2015

Reeve LeClaire appears to be a well-rounded, all-American college student. But only her family and closest friends know that Reeve, or Reggie, as she was known when she was a teenager, was kidnapped by psychopathic sadist Daryl Wayne Flint and brutalized for four years. Reeve survived her ordeal and was freed by a freak twist of fate, but now, several years later, just as her life has begun to take shape and her dreams are being realized, Flint breaks out of prison, intent on finding her. Reeve inserts herself into the manhunt and, as she faces her fear of her twisted, evil abductor, she realizes that she may be the only person who knows Flint well enough to find him before he grabs anyone else. Narrator Christina Delaine does an adequate job in her reading. Though there aren't many surprises here, the writing is good, and the characterization strong. VERDICT Fans of Lisa Jackson and Lisa Gardner will enjoy this thriller. ["Highly recommended for all fans of manhunt mysteries who love a strong heroine": LJ 4/15/15 starred review of the Minotaur: St. Martin's hc.]--Laura Brosie, Wentzville, MO

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