*spoiler free*
Dean Mayes’ new book (which I received as an Advanced Reader’s Copy) is an extraordinary psychological thriller that eases you in at a well-paced speed, and then smacks you with every emotion possible on an epic whirlwind of suspense and mystery. And the twists, boy, will the twists claw at your insides! I give ‘The Recipient’ 4 out of 5 stars.
“Casey Schillinge is a vivacious young woman on the verge of making her mark on the world. While backpacking, she is struck down by a tropical disease and suffers cardiac failure. But at the eleventh hour, Casey receives a life-saving heart transplant – and a rare second chance to begin again.
Three years later, Casey has become a withdrawn shell of her former self: she is estranged from her loved ones, afraid of open spaces and rides the line between legitimate and criminal work. The worst of her troubles come in the form of violent night terrors; so frightening that she resorts to extreme measures to keep herself from sleeping. When she can take no more, she embarks on a desperate search for the source of her dreams. In so doing, she makes a shocking discovery surrounding the tragic fate of the donor whose heart now beats inside her chest. As she delves deeper into the mystery of her donor, she realises her dreams are not a figment of her imagination, but a real life nightmare.”
The plot is extremely clever and original. I enjoyed seeing the story pan out from different characters’ points of view. Although not necessary to have read Mayes’ other stand-alone books prior to ‘The Recipient’, there is an overlap that adds a familiar and interesting element. Mayes is particularly skilled at writing high-drama scenes with exhilarating tension. I could see the characters and the settings playing out in front of me.
The reason I gave the book 4 out of 5 stars is because I found some descriptions long-winded, mainly in the first few chapters, and a few word choices throughout were frustrating. I say this to be completely honest in my review, however, on the whole, the writing is superb. I want to know when the movie will come out…a movie-maker would be a fool to not want this story!
‘The Recipient’ is the first book I have read for quite some time that was impossible to put down. Well done Dean – this is a book to be proud of!
To celebrate the launch of this book on May 1st, there is a giveaway offer that you can be involved in! The winner will receive a copy of ‘The Recipient’, a $25 Amazon Gift Card, and a donation in their name to Amnesty International. The giveaway is open internationally.
Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win!! And don’t forget to please follow this blog (link is on the right side of the page)!
Dean Mayes also has a great blog at http://www.deanfromaustralia.com
