The 13th Hour - Richard Doetsch

The 13th Hour
By: Richard Doetsch
Published: 2009
Audiobook Read by: Dennis Boutsikaris
My rating: Great

I read a review of of Richard's "The Thieves Of Darkness" On The Pick Of The Literate's blog awhile back and it sounded wonderful. I decided to give him a try and got "The 13th Hour". I am so glad I did! This has been a great book and I look forward to more of Richard's work!

Nick Quinn is an average guy with a loving wife and many wonderful plans for their future together. Everything changes when he finds Julia brutally murdered and himself being arrested as the likely suspect. That is the end of anything even remotely normal for Nick as he is plunged into the most bizarre day of his life. Nothing is as it seems and Nick struggles to make sense of the events that pick him up and hurl him through the next 12 hours. The horrific image of Julia's mangled face haunts him everywhere he turns and he knows that she is dead. However, he is being told that there is a chance that he can save her! As the pages of this book turn, we follow Nick through Hell itself as he realizes that not only is Julia dead but 212 other people have been killed in a plane crash a few miles away. Is there a connection between the two events? Nick truly has no idea what he is supposed to do! The tranquil life he had been so happy leading is ripped apart and he stumbles deliriously for a while not sure who he can trust. Slowly, things start to fall into place and he finally knows what has to be done, but will it be enough? As the hours count down for him, he can only hope that he can formulate the right plan that will make things right again. But in the end, He realizes that maybe the impossible is just that, impossible.

Richard has designed a thriller here that is gripping and original. As the beginning chapter opened, I was starting to feel like maybe this wasn't going to be very good but all of the sudden I was smacked right between the eyes with a surprise twist that took me totally off guard. From there I was hooked! Richard is a master at revealing enough to keep the story moving but keeping a few tricks in reserve to throw at you when the time is right. At first I felt like I could see a much simpler solution to Nick's dilemma but in the end I found that I would not have solved the problem completely. I got down to the last chapter and still was not sure of what I expected to find. The conclusion was very satisfying and the final event left just enough hanging to suggest a possible sequel.

I listened to the audiobook read by Dennis Boutsikaris. I very much enjoyed Dennis' performance as he brought the story to life. He does an excellent job and I certainly wouldn't mind hearing more from him.

Overall, this was certainly a great book and I am very glad I gave it a try! The concept of this plot is so deep and gives one a lot to contemplate as the moral and physical implications of Nick's actions unfold. I highly recommend you give this book a try!