An extraordinary thriller from a debut author that may well become the book everyone is talking about, come February ... In a mesmerizing first-person narrative, her fear is palpable, then vanquished by an astonishing ferocity she finds within herself. Where does that come from? Wait until you find out. This one glows in the dark.
Heather Chavez’s No Bad Deed is a fast-paced, high-anxiety tale of a good Samaritan’s offer of assistance gone very, very wrong ... Chavez, a former newspaper reporter, does an excellent job of pulling the reader along with Cassie as she tears around town assembling clues in an effort to figure out what the hell is going on ... No Bad Deed is an exciting exploration of what might happen when a person’s ordinary life is suddenly thrown into chaos, and knowing whom or what to trust is no longer possible. It’s also a delightfully Harlan Coben-esque tale of the ways in which the past can influence the present—for better or much, much worse.
This book is truly difficult to put down. While Cassie acts in some ways that will make readers cringe (like when someone goes down into the dark, boarded-up basement, and you just know there's going to be something bad at the bottom of the stairs), she's only human. And stress and emotion make people act in ways that are occasionally not completely logical. Cassie doesn't give up, and we are rooting for her the whole time ... If you enjoy books that keep you on edge, wondering how things will work out, then No Bad Deed is perfect for you. There are twists, followed by more twists, and plenty of excitement and mystery. It's like riding a rollercoaster --- you really don't want to get off until the whole terrifying ride is over.
The brisk plot of No Bad Deed moves with realistic twists as Cassie proves to be a credible sleuth, intent on saving her family and trying to find out why she has been targeted by Carver ... Chavez has a knack for characters that shines...as she fills her novel with flawed, authentic people whose behavior is natural ... No Bad Deed is an assured debut.
Chavez takes a vicious swipe at the Good Samaritan concept with a tumultuous story of the consequences of best intentions. Her prose has a strange and quirky obsession with plants and bugs, but her scrappy female heroine and the breakneck speed in which Chavez unfolds her story make No Bad Deed an exceptional read.
After a convoluted start, Chavez embarks on a paranoia-fueled thrill ride, escalating the stakes while exploiting readers’ darkest domestic fears. The far-fetched plot lacks cohesion and relies too heavily on coincidence to be fully satisfying, but the reader will be invested in learning the Larkin family’s fate through to the too-pat conclusion ... Chavez delivers a fraught if flawed page-turner that attempts too many twists.
Chavez peoples her tale with credible, flawed individuals, presenting even the multiple antagonists with harrowing backstories and convincing psychological motives. While readers must suspend disbelief at times...Chavez is in full command of plot and pacing as the connection between Cassie’s roadside confrontation and Sam’s disappearance becomes clear. Domestic thriller fans will be well satisfied.
