The compulsion to kill that serial killers feel is second only to my compulsion to finish this book

As I begin this review, I’m only 39% into this Amazon First Reads book, and almost didn’t get it because some reviewers complained there were some awkward phrases in the early part of the book, and it was poorly written. I checked author Victor Methos’ author page and listened to a sample of one of his audiobooks to see if the thousands of positive ratings his previous books received were the products of people who don’t know good writing when they see or hear it. I was impressed by the sample, decided to roll the dice, and make The Secret Witness my June First Reads selection. 

Despite having read one reviewer’s listing of several of the “awkward phrases,” as I listened to voice over on the book, I never recognized them. From the beginning this book grabbed my interest and it hasn’t let go yet. If this is bad writing, bring it on! I have been disappointed by far more First Reads selections than I have been pleasantly surprised by them. Choosing a First Reads book takes me such an excruciatingly long period of time, I usually end up putting it off until I get the email reminding me there are only a few days left to choose one. Even if I miss a month’s selection, I feel little regret because it’s rare any of the books jump out at me as sounding that good, and many have not been what I’d hoped they might have been. 

I have never read a book by Victor Methos until now, and unless the wheels suddenly fall off the plot track, it won’t be my last. The good news is, one of his other books is currently a “read free with Prime” one, so that will be number two. I love murder mysteries, legal thrillers, and police procedurals and when I don’t want to stop reading a book, it’s a rare treat these days. It’s even possible the plot moves along so well, I’m happily willing to suspend my disbelief so completely, I’m not paying close enough attention to “awkward phrases” and “bad writing,” because I am compelled to see what happens next.

After completing this book. (I spent the day finishing it), the action continued throughout, with twists and unexpected turns right up to the last chapter. I enjoyed reading it, and will soon start another of Victor Methos’ books.